Page 1697 - Week 08 - Thursday, 28 September 1989
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(3) the committee meet on 10, 11 and 12 October 1989; and
(4) the committee report to the Assembly by 2 November 1989.
MR KAINE (Leader of the Opposition) (6.05): Mr Speaker, I seek leave to move together the two amendments I have circulated.
Leave granted.
MR KAINE: I move:
(a) Omit paragraph (2), substitute: "(2) the committee shall consist of such members of the Assembly who notify their nomination in writing to the Speaker by 29 September 1989;"; and
(b) Paragraph (4), omit "2 November", substitute "19 October".
MR SPEAKER: Do you wish to speak to that, Mr Kaine?
MR KAINE: No.
Ms Follett: May I speak briefly to the motion while people are looking at the amendment, Mr Speaker? Would that be in order?
MR SPEAKER: Yes, certainly, Chief Minister.
MS FOLLETT (Treasurer) (6.06): Thank you. Mr Speaker, the Government, in moving this motion, proposes the formation of an Estimates Committee of the Assembly to examine the expenditure proposals contained in the Appropriation Bill. Contrary to some remarks earlier in the day, I do not expect that Estimates Committee to draw up a budget for me - that has been done - but I do invite them to examine the expenditure proposals.
The committee will provide a forum for members to question Ministers and officials on matters connected with the funds the Government is seeking from the Assembly. Consistent with Commonwealth practice, the Government envisages that the committee would also be able to extend its questioning to the general operation, administration and policies of the agencies of the Government.
Members will, therefore, have the opportunity to effectively discharge their parliamentary responsibility to closely and personally scrutinise the proposed expenditure of the executive arm of government. The fact that the committee, as I propose it, will comprise all members of the Assembly who wish to nominate will enable members to participate in the examination of matters falling within their particular areas of shadow responsibility or general areas of interest.
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