Page 3153 - Week 15 - Thursday, 14 December 1989
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today under this new, authoritarian, draconian type of regime that has been foisted upon us.
MR WOOD (11.45): I hope that nothing happens today or in future weeks that will do anything to harm the committee system or to change the committee system. I hope that all that we do will protect and maintain the system. As I was so involved, I looked at what happened in other parliaments, and I believed that our committee structure as it was working was superior, both in the scope of what it did and I think also in the quality of much of its work, to that of any other parliament in Australia.
There was certainly much more power vested in the committees. This was truly an Assembly where the Assembly had authority, something that parliaments in recent years have lacked. So let us not say anything or take any action that will diminish the Assembly. Let us have some more consultation. I think that is important.
Mr Collaery said that he wanted our involvement during the recess period. That is all right. It is an interim measure only. But I think that the sensible thing to do, as my colleagues have suggested and in the spirit of the committee system, would be for the whips on that side of the house to come across and talk to Mr Whalan or the Labor leader and say, "This is what we are proposing to do about the structure of committees. This is what we have in mind. What do you think about it?". That is the way it used to happen, and I think it should still happen.
I have one question that Mr Collaery might clear up for me when he responds. I raise this question because, in the last 10 days, media reports led me to believe that the executive deputies would be a direct link to the Government. Mr Collaery, can you respond to that for me and outline the role that the executive deputies will have, not in relation to the form that Mr Kaine passed out but in relation to the committees? It would be a very grave and unfortunate path to follow if the executive deputies were to have any direct contact with Government as part of their committee work.
Ms Maher: Committees are apolitical. They are not political.
MR WOOD: Exactly; that is what I am saying, but I want Mr Collaery to clear that point up or Mr Kaine to make an emphatic statement if that is to be the case, that the committees will not be reporting to Government.
Mr Collaery: How could you suggest that?
Mr Kaine: Committees report to this Assembly, Bill.
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