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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 11 Hansard (12 December) . . Page.. 2866 ..

MR MOORE (12.15): Mr Speaker, I think this amendment is probably redundant, as I think that ministerial responsibility does apply; but it does have the advantage that it makes very clear exactly where the buck stops. For that reason, I will be supporting it. There will be no doubt in the minds of people who look at that legislation that it is Ministers who ought to be held responsible. If they delegate their powers, that is their prerogative; but they still wear the responsibility. I think that is the effect of the amendment. As I say, I think it probably is redundant; nevertheless, it has the advantage that it does make very clear exactly where that responsibility lies.

MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister) (12.15): The Government will not be opposing this amendment, although section 29 of the Public Sector Management Act says:

A Chief Executive, ... shall, in relation to each administrative unit under his or her control -

(a) be responsible, under the relevant Minister, for its administration and its business;

... ... ...

That is already in there. I do not think the amendment is necessary, but we have no problem with restating something that we support.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Clause 8

MS TUCKER (12.16): Mr Speaker, I move my amendment No. 1, which is No. 3 on the pink sheet. It reads:

Page 7, line 8, after proposed new section 31, insert the following section:

"Tabling of contracts and variations of contracts

`31A. The Chief Minister shall cause a copy of -

(a) each contract made under section 28 or 30; and

(b) each instrument by which such a contract is varied;

to be laid before the Legislative Assembly within 6 sitting days after the day on which the contract or variation is made.'.".

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