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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 10 Hansard (24 September) . . Page.. 3193 ..
MR OSBORNE (continuing):
I am still pleased with the Bill, however. I am realistic enough to accept that, under our present structure of parliamentary drafting, where the Government has the only say over the allocation of drafting resources, an Act such as this one is never going to receive the kind of attention that it needs to achieve significant reform. It has been, nonetheless, frustrating to have had to go quite often to the Minister, Mr Humphries, to get work done on this Bill. Freedom of information is not about keeping secrets. Rather, it should assist in the promotion of and informed participation in decision-making by the community. The sensitivity of a particular issue to the government of the day ought not to be the reason for depriving people of access to material that is critical to that level of participation.
Mr Speaker, where a legal right for members of the public exists on any issue, the Government's responsibility is to protect that right at great cost. If Mr Humphries is to be believed and the true test of a good government is whether or not its record is able to be scrutinised, I believe that this Bill delivers that level of scrutiny that he desired in opposition. Only time will tell whether he desires it in government. There has been a growing debate over the last couple of years regarding changes to the style of government in the Territory to one that is more inclusive of the elected members. I believe that the changes outlined in this Bill would be needed to complement any such changes in style.
Finally, Mr Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my staff for the many long hours they have put in over the last two years, or close to 21/2 years. Obviously, David Moore has been very instrumental in the compiling of this Bill, as have Ian Jones and also Gay Davidson a couple of years ago. They have done a terrific job, Mr Speaker. Also, once again I would like to thank Mr Graham for his effort, especially over the last couple of weeks. His face-to-face meetings with my staff have been very worth while. Mr Speaker, while this Bill has been something of a marathon to put together, I am nevertheless pleased with the result. I look forward to hearing from both major parties on their view on openness. I will remind the present Government that being open was one of the platforms of their election. As I said, Mr Speaker, I am pleased with the result, and I commend the Bill to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mr Humphries) adjourned.
Motion (by Ms Tucker) agreed to:
That leave of absence for today, Wednesday, 24 September 1997, and tomorrow, 25 September 1997, be given to Ms Horodny.
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