Page 2477 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 7 August 1990
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As I mentioned a few moments ago, the project that immediately comes to mind is the proposed bubble over Civic pool. The third recommendation states:
... the government, when it responds to this report, provides full details of where the $22.1m of reserve funds are to be allocated.
Mr Acting Speaker, this is where I want to leave my comments today in relation to this year's capital works program. I am hopeful that by next year the information process will have been properly addressed. After reading last year's report, I am sure that this committee was provided, on the whole, with much more information from the beginning, thus making our task easier. I commend the report to the Assembly.
MR BERRY (9.34): Mr Acting Speaker, the problem with these Assembly committees is that they have turned out to be government committees. I turn to a statement made by Ms Follett on 27 March which is recorded in Hansard on page 879 and which is mentioned in my attachment to the report. Ms Follett said:
... I have said many times before - that we stand ready to participate fully in the life and the work of Assembly committees. But committees must be an arm of the Assembly and not simply a rubber stamp for government decisions.
Mr Humphries: How does this make it a government committee? It criticises the approach.
MR BERRY: You are not a very bright Minister, Mr Humphries. If you pay close attention, I am sure that by the time I am finished you will have worked that out. I am sure that your training, if it has done nothing else, has taught you how to listen.
Mr Duby: Yours has not taught you how to talk.
MR BERRY: Honesty is a difficulty for your side, though, Mr Duby. The issue is one of the separation of powers. There must be a clear separation of powers between Executive Deputies and the Executive. That has not occurred. The Labor Opposition has not participated in the proceedings of these committees because they are an arm of the Government. That is how they are seen by the ordinary person in the street, and that is the difficulty with the ordinary person in the street having any confidence in the process.
Mr Acting Speaker, I think this was also recognised by members serving on various committees. Mrs Nolan expressed her concerns about the propriety of the committee continuing with only government members on it, and you, Mr Acting Speaker, recognised the difficulties that might arise from time to time in the committee in which you
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