Page 3615 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 16 October 1990
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MR KAINE: First of all, the question presupposes a statement on my part that I did not make. I am quite prepared to again state what I said to the Estimates Committee - that Ministers of this Government are personally responsible for the decisions that they make about the expenditure of public money. The fact that the money is appropriated to a vote that is the responsibility of the Chief Minister notwithstanding, there is a thing in government called delegation, and I am sure Mr Connolly is aware of it, having worked for the government for most of his working life. So, to assert that the Chief Minister is responsible for every cent spent, because I am after all the Treasurer - and I suppose one could argue that I am responsible for every penny spent in the ACT - - -
Mr Berry: Accountable; that is the question.
MR KAINE: Yes, indeed, that is true - and accountable, but the fact of the matter is that in government responsibility is delegated. I would not delegate anything to you, to start with, because I would not trust you to spend one cent. But the fact is that in government - - -
Mrs Grassby: He would not spend it. That is it. He spent nil.
Mr Collaery: We did not go to Melbourne for radio and TV interviews.
MR KAINE: And the present Chief Minister did not spend public money to go to Sydney to attend a rugby league game either. So, when we get around to questions of accountability, people who live in glass houses should not throw stones. The fact of the matter is that in government there is a question of delegation. One delegates to other Ministers, one delegates to senior public servants, and the responsibility that goes with that delegation is carried by the officer concerned. Such officers then become accountable to me and, ultimately, they become accountable to this Assembly and to the people.
So, if you are trying to fix personal accountability on me for every cent that is spent in the budget, I think that your question will backfire. Your proposition is absurd. That situation did not exist under your Government. Rosemary Follett was not held personally accountable for every cent in the budget, and to assert that I am personally accountable for every cent in my budget is an absolute absurdity.
MR CONNOLLY: I ask a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. Can the Chief Minister explain to the Assembly the relevant provisions of either the Audit Act of 1989 or his own gazetted administrative arrangements of 4 July this year which make other Ministers responsible for the funds expended under his program?
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