Page 5096 - Week 17 - Wednesday, 12 December 1990
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So let us work towards the simple practices and principles that would allow people in the ACT, firstly, to know what legislation we are going to introduce; to let them know when we are going to introduce it; to let them know in simple terms what it is about and how it will affect them - in terms of both rights and monetary implications; and then allow a minimum of 30 days for the passage of such legislation. Let us hope the Bills that have been rushed through in this Assembly this week are the last to be dealt with in that way in the ACT.
MR COLLAERY (Attorney-General) (3.20): Mr Speaker, I listened to Mr Stevenson's well modulated speech and it took me back to my youth. "I know that voice", I thought, and it is somewhere between the voices of Smokey Dawson - I am showing my age now - Biggles and Hop Harrigan, although my colleague Norm Jensen says that I should think about Greenbottle. Either way, it is somewhere there before the Caltex Hour. That does date me; but congratulations, Mr Stevenson, on a sort of well modulated show, because, of course, it was just a show.
I will now refute Mr Stevenson's claims that the Assembly has had legislation passed through it in such a short time that consultation, consideration or reporting of the issues has been compromised. On the basis of the research that has been conducted for me, Alliance Government Bills have averaged 21 days each between introduction and the date of passage.
Mr Stevenson: Ha, ha!
MR COLLAERY: Yes, it is Greenbottle, Mr Speaker.
Mr Stevenson: Averaged! There are lies, damned lies and averages. What an appalling thing to say in this Assembly. It is absolutely disgusting.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Order, Mr Stevenson, please!
MR COLLAERY: Mr Speaker, none of these Bills commenced with "Good morning, sir".
Of the 57 Alliance Government Bills passed so far this year, only two - the Statutory Authorities (Audit Arrangements) Bill and the Gaming Machine (Amendment) Bill 1990 - have been introduced and passed in the same sitting week, and all members at the time appreciated the need for those finance Bills to have pride of place in terms of time. But by the end of this week, Mr Speaker, another two will be in this category. And they are, of course, with the cooperation of my colleagues on the opposite side of the chamber - - -
Mr Stevenson: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Cooperation of colleagues? Have we been asked, Michael?
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