Page 3120 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 9 November 2021
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Planning and Land Management and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (11.53): I move:
That, because of the unprecedented public health emergency arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the resolution of the Assembly of 2 December 2020, as amended 11 February, 30 March, 22 April and 16 September 2021, which established general purpose standing committees, be amended by inserting paragraph (7A) as follows:
“(7A) notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (7), expenditure proposals contained in the 2021-2022 appropriation bills for the Territory and any revenue estimates proposed by the Government in the 2021-2022 Budget stand referred to the relevant standing committee for inquiry and report by 12 November 2021;”.
I rise briefly to make some comments in relation to the motion before us. I think you will all agree that this year has been an unprecedented year, with the COVID-19 Delta variant impacting all aspects of our city, our lives, our government and this Assembly.
The sitting pattern, like everything else, has been impacted, as has the budget process, including estimates. This has not been ideal. As I have remarked before, there is no textbook or precedent that can be followed when responding to the Delta variant. We have tried our best and worked through the impact.
All processes that would normally be available have been curtailed. The proposed reporting time for us, flagged through a letter I sent to the Clerk, copying in committee chairs, was provided ahead of estimates hearings commencing. I table a copy of that letter, Mr Assistant Speaker:
Estimates reporting—Copy of letter to the Clerk, copied to Committee Chairs, from the Manager of Government Business, dated 14 October 2021.
As I have noted, all normal time frames for preparing responses have been impacted. However, these are not normal times.
I particularly want to acknowledge the public service. Since August, when the virus arrived in our city, they have helped us to keep our city safe while finalising and delivering the 2021-22 budget. They appeared for hours before estimates committees; they responded to other government hearings; and in coming days they will begin to prepare the government’s response to estimates reports in a shortened period.
Like our public servants, officials in this Assembly have been impacted and have expertly navigated the challenge of the Delta variant. I want to thank them, on behalf of the government.
Mr Assistant Speaker, there are lessons to be learned from this year’s budget and estimates processes, as there always have been. I look forward to the review that I understand the standing committee on admin and procedure will conduct.
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