Page 4222 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 29 November 1994
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Mr Connolly: And for her colleagues.
MR BERRY: And, indeed, her colleagues. That sort of comment was obviously made against the background of little or no knowledge, because, obviously, she had not taken the time to read the report. The only comment that she made about where she could see that the report might be improved was that it could be more strongly worded. That means that it should have had in it all that invective, all that sneering contempt and derision that, as I said earlier, has become so much the hallmark of the way Mrs Carnell and the Liberal Party operate with some of their schoolboy tactics. We have come a long way if we can produce a report like this which will be given due regard and will result in better processes for the future of ACT self-government.
Madam Speaker, I welcome the report. I enjoyed my involvement in the process. I am not sure that I will be sticking my hand up again next time, but I may be. If I did not do so, it would not be because of the quality of the report but because, in the circumstances, it was very hard work to get the report finished in the time provided, bearing in mind all the other committee work as well. In any event, the report is to be commended, and all of those people who have been involved in the process are to be congratulated.
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (5.17): I would like to congratulate the Select Committee on Budget Performance and Outcomes for 1993-94 on its report, which has been tabled, and make the Government's formal response. The Assembly will know that the Government strongly supports its role in reviewing the budget. This year, this role was enhanced, not reduced, with two processes of review: Initially, the review of budget estimates, following the introduction of the early budget, and now the review of budget performance and outcomes. The processes involved will obviously need to be developed and refined as the early budget cycle becomes a more routine part of both the Government's and the Assembly's responsibilities.
I note that the committee has recommended that the Assembly review the existing Estimates Committee and Budget Performance Committee arrangements. This recommendation has been made with a view to establishing a time-effective and cost-effective means of examining annual appropriations and agency performance and outcomes. It will be important, based on the benefits of the experience of the first year of these new arrangements, that the Assembly take up this recommendation and examine ways of enhancing accountability as well as ensuring that time- and cost-effective arrangements are developed. The processes involve a very great commitment of resources by the Assembly, the Government and the bureaucracy. We should all acknowledge that it is a very resource intensive process, not just by members themselves. However, such a commitment is fundamental to the processes of accountable government, and the Government will cooperate in formulating improvements for the future.
I do not underestimate the importance of the work of the Select Committee on Budget Performance and Outcomes. The process of accountability, of review by elected representatives, has great value as an end in itself. However, the real value goes beyond the issue of process. The vast majority of recommendations arising from the Assembly's review of budget issues have been adopted. The role of the Estimates Committee, and
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