Page 81 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 12 February 1991
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I welcome the support of at least most of the recommendations in this report by those opposite, because I believe quite firmly that without bipartisan support it will be very difficult for us to persuade the Federal Government that the ACT is grown up enough to warrant reforms to things like its electoral system and its power to manage things without the reserve power of the Commonwealth to look over its shoulder and prevent things happening - which would not be compatible with our own new-found autonomy.
Mr Berry: I do not think you have convinced them yet. You have a way to go, I think.
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Berry interjects that we have a long way to go, and I certainly think that, with his behaviour in the house, that would be more than true. However, I do think we are achieving a great deal as a self-governing Territory, and I sincerely hope that we continue to do so over the coming years and that we do warrant the reforms which this committee has suggested should be enacted.
I have to note Ms Follett's comment on the power of the ACT to increase the number of Ministers. She appears to agree that there ought to be the power in the ACT Assembly to modify or increase the number of Ministers in the ACT Government. She seems to be saying, I think, that this Government is not responsible enough to warrant an increase in the number of Ministers. But she, herself, if returned to government, would reserve the right to increase her ministry commensurate with the undoubtedly much greater responsibilities which somehow would fall on her shoulders than happen to lie on ours. I do not accept that for one moment.
I am also most interested in the recommendations dealing with the electoral system, and I am also deeply concerned to see that the ACT gets a fair and acceptable electoral system. I am also pleased to see that such luminaries as Senator McMullan and others have agreed with recommendation 10, that legislation necessary to give the ACT Assembly full control over the electoral system ought to be enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament. I think it is also important, however, to note the Chief Minister's response to that recommendation, as tabled in his speech before the end of last year. The recommendation dealing with that matter, recommendation 10, says fairly simply that the ACT should have complete control over its own electoral system. The Chief Minister's response indicates fairly clearly that there ought to be some qualifications on the ACT Legislative Assembly's power to change the electoral system. He indicates, for example, that, if the Commonwealth Government transfers responsibility to the ACT Assembly, the ACT Government will, prior to the enactment of any legislation, put the issue of the electoral system to the people of the ACT by way of referendum.
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