Page 732 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 5 July 1989
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This action is proposing major decisions of a planning nature which can be finally decided by a member of the Executive without reference to this Assembly, and that should not be the case. The Rally submits that this sort of problem points to a need for the establishment of a form of tribunal to look at planning and related matters. Also, organisations like the Motor Traders Association cannot make their views known properly.
Certainly there have been occasions when these issues have been raised in the court when resident groups and others have made their case. So please let there be no more demolitions of the type we saw at Barton without all avenues of appeal being made available to the residents. It is time that the minority Labor Government acted on its rhetoric to assume this matter is dealt with promptly and efficiently.
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS - STANDING COMMITTEE
MS FOLLETT (Treasurer) (4.18): Mr Speaker, I move:
That the Standing Committee on Public Accounts examine, and report on, principles relating to appropriate financial administration and audit legislation for the ACT.
I will speak very briefly on this matter. In my opening speech to the Assembly on 11 May 1989 I indicated that the Government will legislate to establish an audit office which will operate independently of the Executive Government.
The current ACT Audit Act is based largely on the Commonwealth Act. The Commonwealth Auditor-General has been appointed as ACT Auditor-General for an interim period. As the basis for the establishment of an independent ACT audit office, I am anxious to develop principles for a new financial administration and audit Act which incorporate the most recent practices of the States and the Commonwealth.
Probity and accountability must be paramount in government financial practices and standards, but practices must also change in line with developing commercial practices and accounting standards. Several States and the Northern Territory have now completely overhauled their financial practices without any compromise in necessary audit standards. I hope that the committee will be able to obtain the views of professional accounting bodies and other relevant organisations and individuals, and I look forward to a report that can form the basis of legislation acceptable to all parties in the Assembly.
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