Page 4633 - Week 12 - Thursday, 15 October 2009
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test what they say and keep them accountable. We do not do that by accepting what they say and accepting their amendments. In fact, it always concerns me when the government are happy with the level of scrutiny. It suggests to me that the level of scrutiny is not good enough. If the government are left smiling, as Mr Corbell is now, it suggests to me that the motion is not strong enough. Call me a cynic—
Mr Coe: You’re a cynic.
MR SESELJA: I am a cynic; I am. Mr Coe has confirmed I am a cynic. Given the government’s glee at the passage of this motion, perhaps it is not strong enough. We would argue it is not strong enough. We will have to come back. We will have to seek more documents. We will inevitably have to properly inquire into why the taxpayers of the ACT are going to be asked to once again fund such a massive blow-out, a quarter of a billion dollar blow-out.
I put on record our concerns that the Assembly has deemed worthy an inquiry into bill posting but not one to look at a quarter of a billion dollar blow-out for a major construction of a dam. We believe also that the broader issue of a capital works committee will have to be brought back because time and time again we see the need for an Assembly body to inquire into capital works spending. We note our disappointment and we look forward to the next instalment in this debate.
Mr Rattenbury’s amendment, as amended, agreed to.
Motion, as amended, agreed to.
Leave of absence
Motion (by Mrs Dunne) agreed to:
That leave of absence be granted to Mr Smyth for the period 17 October to 16 November 2009, due to him being overseas on Assembly business.
Adjournment
Motion by Mr Corbell proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Vinnies night patrol
MR SESELJA (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (5.54): I would just like to briefly mention that this is Anti-Poverty Week and I had the opportunity as part of that to visit the Vinnies night patrol last night.
The Vinnies night patrol has had a long presence here in the ACT, giving food and drink and comfort to many in our community who require it. I have visited with them on a number of occasions and I have always been extraordinarily impressed with the quality of the volunteers. They are virtually all volunteers, from what I can tell.
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