Page 1149 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 March 1990
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The forum is sponsored by a range of people and I have modestly to say it does include the Residents Rally, but there are also other groups. When you hear the names of the people involved you will see it is not a narrow political group. There is Jack Waterford, the editor of the Canberra Times, Charles MacDonald of the Trades and Labour Council, Ossie Kleinig of CARD, Judy Butt on planning and design, Martin Attridge of ACTCOSS, and Mike Wadsworth of the Department of Urban Services. There are people from all over the community. I do very strongly commend this forum, nine to five on Saturday. I hope many people will be able to get there.
Open Government
MR MOORE (5.46): Just very briefly, Mr Speaker, I draw attention to the concern that a number of people in Canberra have presented to me. They believe - and I must say I agree with them - that decisions are being carried on totally by the Executive and not by the Assembly as such. I think that that may contribute to some of the frustration that members of the Opposition feel.
I draw the attention of Mr Jensen, since he requested that I do that, to some of the broken promises. A basic and fundamental broken promise is called open government. It is not open government to make joint party decisions that are then carried through the Assembly in a closed fashion by a united group that will not allow any opposition. That is a certain frustration. Since Mr Jensen invited me to go open on broken promises I will just provide that one, although I will be quite happy to present a list of others at any other time.
Assembly - Refreshments
MR SPEAKER: I would like to make a brief statement. I would like to draw members' attention to the House of Representatives Practice, page 193. On the fifth or sixth line it says:
Refreshments may not be brought into or consumed in the Chamber.
Let no-one be in doubt that I was miffed by not being offered the nuts or lollies that were being handed around by Mrs Grassby to most other members; I was.
Mr Berry: Medication, Mr Speaker.
Mr Jensen: I did not get one.
Mrs Grassby: Norm, you are just not in the club.
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