Page 3988 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 15 Sept 2009
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We are told it was wonderful. The government, through Mr Stanhope, tell us they were kept in the dark about the cost blow-out. Ms Gallagher says no, she was receiving regular updates; she was getting briefings on this issue. All of those things do not stack up.
We will be very happy for Ms Gallagher to speak again to give us information as to what those meeting minutes showed, when they showed concerns about blow-outs, whether the Chief Minister was informed of that as well or whether she was indeed kept in the dark in the way the Chief Minister claims to have been. This comes down to responsibility; this comes down to oversight. We expect that our representatives, those ministers who are shareholders of Actew, will protect the public interest. So far they are not doing a very good job. The record speaks for itself, with a massive blow-out in the cost of the Cotter Dam.
MS BURCH (Brindabella) (3.55): I too appreciate the opportunity to speak on this issue. As the Treasurer has said in her contribution to the debate, the very subject matter—management of statutory authorities and territory-owned corporations—is in fact a reflection of the lack of understanding demonstrated by those opposite of the roles and responsibilities reflected in the governance and legislative arrangements for these entities.
Both previous and current territory governments have adopted particular structures for ACT government entities, reflecting the nature of the objectives to be achieved. In doing so, we have been mindful of where appropriate levels of independence from the executive are useful. We have also been mindful of what appropriate levels of transparency and accountability surround such structures.
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ms Le Couteur): Members of the opposition, please be quiet.
MS BURCH: It is important to note that all governments in Australian jurisdictions have made decisions to facilitate significant government commercial functions being established as companies such as territory-owned corporations or statutory authorities. This is in recognition that, for some functions, it may be desirable to have commercial expertise and independence separate from government.
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Members of the opposition, please be quiet.
MS BURCH: Thus the starting point for determining organisational structure should be the identification of the functional objectives. The nature of decisions that must be made in achieving those objections can then be understood. It is then possible to put in place the appropriate organisational form to facilitate the appropriate decision-making hierarchy.
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