Page 818 - Week 05 - Thursday, 6 July 1989
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the Federal Parliament, and by setting up the appropriate situation here we ought not get ourselves into that predicament.
The third point that I would like to make is that all Bills that are passed here should come into effect immediately. I believe that, in the late 1970s, 12 Acts which had been given assent but had never come into effect were found by the Senate. It seems to me that we should prevent such a situation arising in this Assembly. As a new assembly we should be able to put into place certain requirements that become part and parcel of every Bill which require immediate effect, or certainly effect within a reasonable time, so that, where necessary, financial and other concerns can be taken into account.
I would like to support Mr Stefaniak's comments of thanks for the very professional services from the secretary of this committee and the advice we had from the public servants. Similarly, I would like to echo his sentiments about the various people who presented arguments and ideas to the committee, and the other members of the committee, of course.
In conclusion, let me say that in this instance the Rally seemed to provide a balancing point or a compromise point, and I believe that in no way did the legislation become watered down. The duty of care remains. The most important thing that we need to push with this particular legislation - I would strongly recommend it to the Executive - is a public attitude, education and publicity program. Without that, a lot of the work and a lot of what it attempts to do will not be achieved.
MR WOOD (4.33): Mr Speaker, there will be further debate on the legislation that we have been considering, so I will not make any detailed comments now; I will talk in general terms only.
This is the first report by the Assembly's select or standing committees. That historic first has already been noted. I want to add my expression of appreciation that I have been involved in that.
It was an interesting process. It will surely set the pattern for other committees, although I hope that we do not ever establish a pattern that never varies. I think it is always open to us to improve our arrangements. I believe it should have properly settled the concerns of those people in the community who claimed - I am not sure that it was with great justification - that the Bill at first was being hurried through.
It is interesting to note the way that my two colleagues and I worked in that committee and perhaps compare it with the slightly more charged atmosphere that may arise from time to time in this chamber. It was an interesting experience and, for me, a valuable one. Our deliberations
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