Page 3104 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 12 September 1990
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table of this house and to demonstrate to the community that we will deliver what we say. This is a boast that those on the other side will never be able to make.
This Bill is an attempt to bring landlord and tenant law in the Australian Capital Territory into line with the enlightened laws that have been passed throughout Australia in the 1970s and 1980s. Landlord and tenant law in this Territory, at the moment, remains in the horse and buggy era. Nowhere is this more clear and more apparent than in the issue of rental bonds. A rental bond which is required to be lodged by a landlord is held by the landlord or his agent. The interest generated from those bonds is a windfall benefit to the landlord or the agent - - -
Mr Collaery: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I draw your attention to the Bill before the house, and in particular, clause 6, which states:
The members of the Board shall be paid such remuneration and allowances as are prescribed.
Clearly, this is another attempt to subvert the normal governing process of the Westminster system. Only a Minister may present this Bill. I formally draw your attention to section 65 of the self-government Act which sets down the proper procedure, and a tradition of parliament which is reflected in standing order 200. I ask you to rule that this Bill be no longer proposed forthwith.
Mr Moore: I raise a point of order under standing order 202(e).
MR SPEAKER: Order! I will take advice.
Mr Connolly: Can I take a point of order in relation to that point?
MR SPEAKER: You have a point of order, Mr Connolly?
Mr Connolly: I do have a point of order, Mr Speaker. In his overhasty and overeager attempt to stifle debate on this Bill, the Attorney-General has, of course, not read the Bill. In particular, he has not made the point that in the provision that he read to you, which refers to the payment of fees, the fees are paid only if prescribed, and that is a matter for the Executive. More to the point, he has failed to examine section 27 which, of course, provides - as is common with this form of legislation, and as is indicated to be included in the legislation which he hopes to introduce one day, perhaps next year - that the costs of the administration of the rental bond board, including all fees or sitting fees, are to be met from the interest generated from the bond account. I was speaking to this before the Attorney rather hastily leapt to his feet. There is no question of public money being involved in this Bill, and if the Attorney was rather more careful in his attempts - - -
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