Page 2911 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 15 August 1990
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doing and how we are acting, if we are concerned about avoiding making mistakes in terms of the way we legislate, then it is quite appropriate for us, as a matter of course, to allow our Bills to sit on the table. I would suggest that four weeks would be the appropriate norm as a minimum time, allowing for the fact that any Bill can be declared as an urgent Bill, debated and then put to the Assembly if there is some urgency for that Bill. As a matter of course I believe it would be appropriate for us to have more time and I would like to support the point that Mr Stevenson has raised in this matter of public importance.
MR STEFANIAK (4.09): The passage of Bills through the Assembly is a matter of considerable public importance. It should be a primary concern to all Assembly members and I am glad that Mr Stevenson has raised the issue for discussion here today. He suggests that the passage of Bills through the Assembly has been occurring in such a short time that it has limited or prevented the proper consideration of those Bill. I would not agree that has been the case.
Recently some Bills have been passed quite quickly and with less time for consideration by the public and the Assembly than would be required under normal circumstances. This reflects two factors, the time of year and the necessity for continuing administrative arrangements as part of the transition to self-government.
It is commonly known and accepted in all Australian parliaments that there will be an increased legislative workload and increased urgency during the budget sittings, when the Government's money Bills are presented and debated. This, too, has been the experience of this Assembly. Money Bills must be given priority and for this reason the standing orders permit a Minister to introduce a money Bill without notice. This should not be a matter of concern. Money Bills are, in general, merely mechanical Bills which appropriate moneys for or put in place proposals which have already been publicly announced and debated. (Quorum formed)
There is another class of Bill which tends to pass through the Assembly fairly quickly and without the extended time for debate and consultation which the Government would ordinarily like to see. These are the Bills which set in place the necessary administrative arrangements to ensure that the transition to self-government continues to proceed smoothly. These Bills, like the money Bills, tend to be mechanical and do not contain matters which would be of concern to the general public. Some people may, however, question the continued need for this type of Bill. I can only point out that self-government in the ACT is still relatively new and it will be some considerable time yet before the process of transition is complete.
It is my belief that the passage of most other Bills through this Assembly has occurred in such a way that
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