Page 666 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 5 July 1989
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they can barely cope, and they are very competent and experienced people. The committee system for which we have such high hopes is starting to break down, but we have been here, I think, not two months yet. We simply cannot randomly refer every matter that arises to a select committee or a standing committee.
Within a week or so - very early in our next sitting days after the short break - I hope the Assembly will discuss what it wants of the committees and that we will come up with a sensible way of proceeding. Let me point out that you must not now break down that system that we want. I want to add one point, that I have been absolutely dedicated to the committee system. It is both a necessity and, I believe, a privilege.
MR SPEAKER: Order! The time for the debate is now concluded. Please resume your seat. I am now obliged to put the question.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
POLICE OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 - SELECT COMMITTEE
MR COLLAERY (10.46): I move:
That:
(1) A select committee be appointed to inquire into and report on the Police Offences (Amendment) Bill 1989, such inquiry to invite submissions relating to public behaviour.
(2) The committee report by 25 July 1989.
(3) The committee shall consist of 3 members, including a Liberal Party proponent of the Bill, a member from the Residents Rally and one other member.
(4) The Police Offences (Amendment) Bill 1989 be now referred to the select committee.
Every other parliamentary assembly in Australia, to my knowledge, has a Bills or a legal and constitutional committee or a committee set up to screen legal, particularly punitive, provisions in laws, particularly criminal laws. The purpose throughout Australia is that such committee looks at any laws with four main ideas in mind. The first is whether it is within the powers of the enabling legislation, in other words, whether this Bill comes within the self-government powers? There were some discussions about that at the beginning with Mr Stefaniak. The second is whether it trespasses on the civil rights of the people. Otherwise, does it provide for adequate avenues of appeal? Is the legislation otherwise defective?
Every other assembly has such a committee. One can understand the position of the sole Labor backbencher in this Assembly, and one deeply sympathises with his
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