Page 2357 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 31 July 2018

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confident that we could make it work here too. Standing committees would be more efficient, being across the key areas that need to be examined. It will mean all non-executive members in this place, rather than just a few, will closely examine aspects of the budget.

Members will not be at risk, or not so much at risk, of becoming worn out and losing their own effectiveness as time goes on. A smaller time commitment will allow them to prepare for the hearings more effectively and it minimises the risk of their becoming unwell or, if they do, they are not putting pressure for the overall examination of the budget on themselves or on their party. I hope that it would somewhat ease the pressure on our Office of the Legislative Assembly staff, which is also a very important consideration. I know, Madam Speaker, that this is something that is important to you as the leader in this place.

Finally, I know that my colleagues support this. I know that the Greens see the absolute sense in this. I know that a number of members of the opposition support this as well. I implore everyone in this place to see the sense of what I am proposing. It made sense when I first put it forward at the start of this year. It continues to make sense.

I say to the opposition: do not be bloody-minded about this. This is not about not examining issues thoroughly. It actually will allow for a more thorough, a more effective, examination of the budget. That could only be a good thing and something I am sure the Treasurer would welcome. For these reasons, I look forward to all party rooms’ support for this by the time the administration and procedure committee meets to discuss it seriously.

Again, I would like to thank all the members of the committee for their work and also thank the Office of the Legislative Assembly for all the support that was provided to us. I commend the report, for the most part, to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Mr Barr) adjourned to the next sitting.

Privileges 2018—Select Committee

Report

MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong) (10.33):

Privileges 2018—Select Committee—Report—Newsletter circulated by two MLAs with links to a Third-Party Website, dated 20 June 2018, together with the relevant minutes of proceedings.

The report was circulated on 21 June 2018, when the Assembly was not sitting. I move:

That the report be noted.

As I have commented, the committee was formed on 12 April by way of a resolution of the Assembly, after a motion moved by Ms Cody. Mr Wall, Ms Cheyne and I


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