Page 376 - Week 03 - Thursday, 1 June 1989
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unforeseen at the time the Bill was drafted. Section 47 of the Audit Act 1989 prescribes the conditions for use of this advance. I now present the explanatory memorandum for the Bill.
Debate (on motion by Mr Collaery) adjourned.
ADJOURNMENT
Bureaucracy - Legislative Assembly
Motion (by Ms Follett) proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
MR KAINE (Leader of the Opposition) (3.44): Mr Speaker, in speaking to the adjournment motion, I draw the Government's attention particularly to a case of an elderly lady with respect to whom I think government should be showing its human face rather than its bureaucratic one.
I think that there are many cases to which one could draw attention where the strict letter of the law and the strict intent of government might be pursued but where the simple face of humanity is not presented. I think that this case is a classic one of that kind.
It is a case of a lady who is almost 80 years old and in frail health and who lives in a townhouse unit which is one of three. At the back of these three units is a common fence which apparently has deteriorated and which perhaps needs to be replaced.
I hate to use the word "harassment", but she certainly has been given the bureaucratic treatment, let me put it that way, over about eight or nine months. Although she has asked for an explanation from the department as to what the regulations and rules are and what her rights and entitlements are, she has not at this stage received any such advice. My understanding is that, as recently as 3 May, there was some threat of prosecution if she did not comply with the departmental order.
The fact is that the lady is uncertain as to the exact situation. She does not know, for example, what building standards apply. She does not know what kind of fence must replace the one that is there already. She does not know whether each of the three blocks has to have the same kind of fence. There is a series of questions to which she has been seeking answers. She has not only not succeeded in getting answers but, as I said, she has been threatened with some form of legal action.
I submit, Mr Speaker, that this is a case where the human face of government could be presented. This lady is in frail health and is quite disturbed by the things which are
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