Page 637 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 4 July 1989
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What is more, I have heard rumours that a Federal committee will be inquiring into these matters. I look upon this almost as an insult to this Assembly; the implication being that the house is not mature enough to look after its own affairs. But it does demonstrate the need for our inquiry. If there are to be changes to the ACT electoral system, they should be based on our recommendations, as it is our electorate. Given the shambles imposed upon us first time around by the Federal Parliament, I certainly do not want it to have a second crack at it.
For these reasons, I submit it is essential that we look at the ACT electoral system and look hard. Something must be done to prevent a repeat of this fiasco. This is apparent, and the community demands it, in the same way that the community demands and expects a thorough examination of government of this Territory, one that is our responsibility to provide. Accordingly, I support the motion and recommend it to members for support.
MR WOOD (8.48): In due course, Mr Speaker, I will have every opportunity to examine this matter in the select committee that we are establishing. I will look forward to that. I understand we are going to be programming some sittings. Let me warn you that I think 5.00 am is the starting time for some of them, but we will get through them, let me assure you. In debating this proposal and the amendment, I want to concentrate on one issue, an issue that was of burning concern during, and especially after, the campaign that I hope has not been forgotten. I refer to the conduct of the election campaign by the Electoral Commission. The conduct by the commission, not by the parties, not what we did, is my focus, so I am not going to criticise anybody in this chamber. Indeed, I think we all shared a common view.
The first point I want to make is that the election was soundly done, I think would be the description. There were no mistakes. I do not think anybody was elected who should not have been, as far as the votes go, let me assure you, following what the people did on that day. Secondly, it was conducted by a committed, competent and dedicated staff. If I make some criticisms, they are in no way directed toward the people who did the counting.
What I want to comment on are the very obvious policies of the Electoral Commission, the policies which gave the direction to the way in which the count was conducted. The Electoral Commission did not like the d'Hondt system. Well, it was not alone in that, of course. It made its dislike clear often and pointed it out on many occasions.
I am not sure that it was the commission's job to do that. I am not denying its knowledge in this area - the commission's staff are a very competent group of people - but I am convinced that the role of the commission was to conduct an election campaign. It was not to undermine
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