Page 1968 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 24 October 1989
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have both remained on the table for lengthy periods to allow their proper consideration. In relation to the Appropriation Bill, Mr Speaker, it was the Government who had to encourage this Assembly to examine the Bill carefully through an Estimates Committee process. The daily Bills list, Mr Speaker, reveals that only three Bills have been passed by the Assembly in the same sitting week as they were presented and those Bills related to gaming machines, police offences and the water supply. Two of those were private members' Bills, Mr Speaker.
The other two Bills that Mr Humphries mentioned - the Administration (Amendment) Bill and the Public Trustee (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Amendment) Bill - were introduced in one week, debated and passed in the following week. They were both Bills concerning minor and trivial details.
Mr Humphries: Trivial to you, maybe; not to somebody else.
MS FOLLETT: They were matters of minute detail, Mr Speaker, and even so they were introduced one week and debated the following week. Against this background it is clear that we cannot be accused of rushing legislation through the Assembly. (Extension of time granted)
I would like to add that the Government has adopted a practice of informing the Assembly of its intentions, including in relation to legislation, through the presentation of ministerial statements. These statements can provide a further source of information about Bills and an opportunity for all members to debate the issues. It would be inconsistent for the Government to arbitrarily nominate a date for the introduction of legislation which was the subject of such debate.
Mr Speaker, I believe we have shown great flexibility and willingness to negotiate with, and to brief, parties on our legislation even though this has not been reciprocated by a similar willingness to provide notice of opposition amendments. I believe that the Government has a fine record of consulting on the contents of its legislation and ensuring that the concerns of all groups are heard in its preparation. I put to you, Mr Speaker, that the motion has been poorly researched, poorly argued, and is based on a range of incorrect assumptions and fallacies in logic.
MR SPEAKER: That concludes the debate.
FORWARD LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
MR HUMPHRIES (4.32): Mr Speaker, I seek leave to move a motion relating to the Government's forward legislative program.
Leave granted.
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