Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 4 Hansard (29 March) . . Page.. 1119 ..

Thursday, 29 March 2001

The Assembly met at 10.30 am.

(Quorum formed.)

MR SPEAKER (Mr Cornwell) took the chair and asked members to stand in silence and pray or reflect on their responsibilities to the people of the Australian Capital Territory.

Appropriation Bill 2000-2001 (No 3)

Mr Humphries , pursuant to notice, presented the bill and its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR HUMPHRIES (Chief Minister, Minister for Community Affairs and Treasurer) (10.32): I move:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

The presentation of the Appropriation Bill 2000-2001 (No 3) has arisen due to pressing time constraint issues surrounding these appropriations. The items contained within this bill were originally tabled as part of Appropriation Bill (No 2). However, urgent consideration by members needs to be assigned to Appropriation Bill (No 3) to ensure its timeliness.

The two items requiring urgent consideration are: an appropriation of $8.925 million to the Department of Education and Community Services to allow payment of GST for non-government schooling grants; and $5.9 million to the Department of Treasury for the first home owners grant. The amount to the Department of Treasury incorporates an increase of $1.4 million to accommodate the recent increase in the grant from $7,000 to $14,000 for eligible people seeking to build or buy their first home, as announced by the Prime Minister.

I have written to all members outlining this approach. All other items of Appropriation Bill (No 2) will be debated after the Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration reports on 1 May 2001. I commend this bill to the Assembly.

Suspension of standing and temporary orders

Motion (by Mr Humphries ) agreed to, with the concurrence of an absolute majority:

That so much of the standing and temporary orders be suspended as would prevent the resumption of debate on this bill being made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

Debate on motion (by Mr Quinlan ) adjourned to a later hour.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .