Page 1682 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 21 August 2007
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ascertain from that committee whether the alleged actions of Mr Hargreaves substantially interfered with the work of the committee and whether the committee intended to take any action in relation to the matter.
On 8 August, I received a response from the chair of the committee indicating that, in the opinion of the committee, the behaviour of the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services substantially interfered with the work of the committee during the public hearings process, that the behaviour was intimidatory and disrespectful to members of the committee and that the committee was inhibited from pursuing lines of questioning as a result. I table a copy of the committee’s letter for the information of members, along with the letter I wrote to the committee chair.
I have considered the matter and have come to the view that the matter does merit precedence over other business. In accordance with the provisions of standing order 71, Mr Pratt may, if he so chooses, move an appropriate motion to refer the matter to a select committee on privileges.
Privilege—Select Committee
Establishment
MR PRATT (Brindabella) (10.35): I move:
(1) pursuant to Standing order 71, a Privileges Committee be appointed to examine the evidence given by and the behaviour of Minister Hargreaves at hearings of the Select Committee on Estimates 2007-2008 and whether that evidence and behaviour:
(a) in any manner breached the standing orders of the Legislative Assembly of the ACT; or
(b) in any manner was in contempt of the Legislative Assembly of the ACT;
(2) the Committee be composed of:
(a) one Member to be nominated by the Government; and
(b) two Members to be nominated by the Opposition;
to be notified in writing to the Speaker by 4 p.m. today;
(3) the Committee be chaired by an Opposition Member;
(4) the Committee report by 25 September 2007;
(5) if the Assembly is not sitting when the Committee has completed its inquiry the Committee may send its report to the Speaker, who is authorised to give directions for its printing, publishing and circulation; and
(6) the foregoing provisions of this resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the standing orders, have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the standing orders.
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