Page 2317 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 1 November 1989
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Stefaniak is the other member. I would like to say that I am most disappointed that the standing orders do not allow for the appointment of two deputy chairs, as it would have been most appropriate with this committee.
Mr Speaker, I wish to take this opportunity to thank Senator Margaret Reid, who invited the committee to meet with members of the Federal Senate Standing Committee on the Scrutiny of Bills, and also Senator Barney Cooney for receiving us this morning and for being most helpful. It has been brought to the committee's attention that we have an enormous and very time consuming task ahead of us. It is extremely important for the efficient running of this Assembly that this committee operate from day one in an efficient and proper manner, not on an ad hoc basis.
I hereby give notice to the Government and you, Mr Speaker, that this means that it is essential that this committee be provided with the necessary administrative requirements to do so. By this, I am referring to the fact that it is essential that a full-time secretariat be appointed to the committee. This was brought out loudly and clearly during this morning's discussions with the Senate Standing Committee and also its adviser Professor Whalan. I would like to say on behalf of myself and the other members of the committee that we are looking forward to the challenging task ahead of us.
GOVERNMENT'S APPROACH TO THE FUTURE OF PRESCHOOLS
Discussion of Matter of Public Importance
MR SPEAKER: I have received a letter from Mr Humphries proposing that a matter of public importance be submitted to the Assembly for discussion, namely:
The Labor Government's confused and inept approach to the future of ACT preschools.
MR HUMPHRIES (3.38): Mr Speaker, in the short time I have been involved in public life in the ACT I have come to appreciate just how fiercely Canberra parents value their preschools. Therefore, it is somewhat astonishing that today I find it necessary to bring this Government to task for the appalling fear and confusion it has created over the future of preschools in this Territory. I give notice now that I will be moving a motion, which will be distributed shortly to members, which will outline, I believe, and express clearly the concerns I know will be voiced today by members of the Assembly in the area of preschool education and will send, in a way which an MPI by itself cannot do, a clear message to the Government concerning the wishes of this Assembly with regard to the future conduct of preschool education in the Territory.
Mr Speaker, this Government is seeking to make savings in the area of preschool education. I want to put on record
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