Page 226 - Week 01 - Thursday, 10 February 2022

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It is the view of the Canberra Liberals that establishing a select committee on estimates is the best process to allow proper scrutiny of the Appropriation Bill. There are a number of items that we feel are better addressed through a select committee. We have seen, for example in the Laing report, the disquiet and the disjointed approach that a lot of members feel about the Community Day.

A select committee on estimates can undertake two specific roles. The first is scrutiny of the government, the standard role of our committees. The second is that having a select committee enables in-depth analysis of the budget, rather than individual standing committees having to add it to their schedules and risk missing things. We have all seen that in action, where you ask the specific minister a question and they say, “It belongs with a different minister or a different directorate.” In many instances, that minister and directorate have already appeared and the opportunity to ask those questions has been lost. There are many reasons why we think that this is the best approach. I commend the motion to the Assembly.

MS ORR (Yerrabi) (11.27): We will not be opposing Ms Lawder’s motion. We are fine with a select committee. However, we would just like a chance to go over the dates and the motion in the admin and procedure committee.

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

Administration and Procedure—Standing Committee

Reference

Motion (by Ms Orr, by leave) agreed to:

That Ms Lawder’s motion, relating to the proposed establishment of a Select Committee on Estimates 2022-2023, be referred to the Standing Committee on Administration and Procedure and brought back in the March sittings.

Justice and Community Safety—Standing Committee

Reference

MR MILLIGAN (Yerrabi) (11.29): I move:

That this Assembly:

(1) notes that:

(a) storms are a regular occurrence in the ACT, with 26 severe storms recorded in the last 10 years, that have included significant rainfalls contributing to flooding events, hail causing major damage, and strong wind gusts leaving a trail of debris;

(b) the storm season in the ACT runs from September to February each year;

(d) the 3 January supercell thunderstorm event caused significant damage to many homes and streetscapes;

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