Page 1811 - Week 05 - Thursday, 16 May 2019

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evident, many witnesses we have heard from have skin in the game. Just because someone tells us something or suggests one approach is best does not mean it necessarily is. The committee has found itself lobbied in probably every direction possible, with everything from no intervention to some intervention to very significant intervention suggested and considered. We have also heard of a number of approaches that could result in greater certainty and transparency for consumers but which might not necessarily reduce fuel prices.

I have been on a lot of inquiries in my time in this Assembly. This is one of the most, if not the most, complex I have been on. We still have a number of organisations and people we wish to speak to, which is one reason for extending the inquiry. There are some fuel retailers that have been particularly difficult to get hold of. I think I can express my frustration on behalf of the Assembly and the Canberra community about that.

We have learned a lot, including about the pros and cons and the issues with each of the approaches suggested. What we want to do, having a very good understanding of the issues and potential consequences with each of the approaches, is to now test them with the Canberra community.

I can today announce that, with the agreement of the Assembly to the extension of the reporting date, we will be producing an interim options report exploring what methods and approaches are available to the Canberra community. The Canberra community’s views on the different options will then inform our final report. The final report will make recommendations to government about what to do about this very serious issue.

I look forward to releasing the interim report in the coming weeks and encourage all Canberrans who have a concern about fuel prices to engage with it. I commend my motion to the Assembly.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Administration and Procedure—Standing Committee

Request for clarification

MS ORR (Yerrabi) (11.51): I move:

That this Assembly calls on the Standing Committee on Administration and Procedure to:

(1) clarify the scope of current provisions and conventions regarding Members’ comments on a matter under Committee consideration; and

(2) report back to the Assembly on their findings by the end of July 2019.

Speaking briefly, this motion came about as a result of the confusion that we all experienced in the last sitting week as to what the conventions and standing orders cover and what can be said on matters before a committee inquiry. I am simply seeking clarification from the administration and procedure committee as to what the current status is around this issue under the standing orders and the conventions.


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