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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 3 Hansard (9 March) . . Page.. 734 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

This is a convention of parliaments. We have every right to be concerned about who wrote that report for Mr Hird, or, if he wrote it himself, why he changed his position so radically from that of the committee, because his report is quite inconsistent with how he operated within the committee. It is really inappropriate that someone from outside the committee process should come in at the last minute and make comments on a draft report. They have not been involved in what happened in the committee. They have not listened to the evidence. They have not read the submissions. They have not been part of the private deliberative discussions. (Further extension of time granted) Thank you.

Basically, the important thing is that the members of political parties in a committee do work as a member of that committee, not representing the view of their government or their particular party. That is totally clear from all the discussions that we have had about the role of committees, and I thought that we were agreed upon it. In fact, in a way, it was something that Mr Stefaniak alluded to when he was so concerned about Mr Berry's motion calling for rejection of the dissenting report. Mr Stefaniak seemed to be implying it was a problem for democracy. Well, Mr Berry has withdrawn that amendment, but the problem for democracy is how this Liberal Government has been working in this instance with its member of the committee.

MR OSBORNE (11.10): Mr Speaker, I do not wish to prolong the agony of Mr Hird, but I do feel the need to speak generally about the Government in relation to how they handle committees. Being chair of the Justice Committee, I too have found myself in a difficult situation, as have other members on the committee, when it would appear that we have a consensus in relation to a number of recommendations and, lo and behold, a dissenting report arrives on the table at the 11th hour. I do not necessarily blame the Liberal member on the committee for that, Mr Speaker, but it is disappointing to have recommendations minuted and no dissent being raised and then, lo and behold, bang.

It is becoming increasingly clear to me that perhaps there is a need to not have any government members on committees because it is very clear what their view is. I always felt that the way the committees worked in this Assembly was that you often slipped away from party politics and tried to work towards a common goal at the end. I have to admit to having been disappointed that the Government seems to be pushing their agenda via their member on the committee. It certainly does not make my job as chair of the committee easy when, as I said, there appears to be consensus but there is not until someone upstairs on the second floor has checked. That is disappointing. It does make the job of the committee very difficult.

I also wish to move my amendment, Mr Speaker. May I do that now?

MR SPEAKER: You may move it. The other amendment has been withdrawn, so it is perfectly in order to move it.

MR OSBORNE: I move the following amendment:

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