Page 335 - Week 03 - Thursday, 1 June 1989
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To turn specifically to Mr Collaery's motion to establish the committee, it is non-specific as to when or how this body should be established. So, Mr Speaker, I propose an amendment to his motion:
That the following words be added:
"(4) That the composition, terms of reference and powers of the advisory committee be determined by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.".
MR STEFANIAK (10.50): Mr Speaker, Mr Collaery has put forward a motion and my leader has moved what I submit is a most sensible amendment to it. I hope that motion and the amendment will have the support of this Assembly.
As Mr Kaine, my leader, has said, there is no indication of any present corruption within the ACT Administration. Mr Collaery has indicated as well, from a report, some instances in the past, especially in relation to some concreting, where certain public servants at the foreman level were involved in a racket and were prosecuted, through the Australian Federal Police, by the Director of Public Prosecutions. I know of that personally because I was the prosecutor in several of those matters. That was, I think, some time ago.
During my time as a prosecutor I have had cause to look on odd occasions at matters referred to our then department by the Australian Federal Police. There certainly have been some allegations in the past, and certainly the concreting matter was before the courts some time ago.
Accordingly, Mr Speaker, there have been rare instances, but I reiterate what Mr Kaine has said, that we can be very proud of our public servants; the vast majority could have no allegations placed against them. But there is a perceived need for this body, and I support both the motion and the amendment.
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister) (10.52): I wonder if we can have that amendment circulated.
MR SPEAKER: Yes.
MS FOLLETT: Thank you. Mr Speaker, the Government has listened very carefully to the points made by Mr Collaery in speaking to his motion this morning. Naturally, if matters raised by Mr Collaery ought to be investigated I can assure the Assembly that they will be so investigated.
But, on the broader issue raised by Mr Collaery, we are aware of course that there is some support within the community and the ACT public service for a clearing of the air on the corruption issue. I believe Mr Collaery and his party are largely responsible for the need to do that. The Government has nothing to hide. As Mr Kaine has said, we are interested in open and good government. We are also
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