Page 3203 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 11 September 1991
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Collaery had to say about the purpose of these changes, and what he said made a lot of sense. His proposed amendments may well have a lot of merit, but I certainly need to discuss them with the officers of the Attorney-General's Department.
This legislation has been around for some time. It was tabled by the previous Government for public comment and consultation, and there was quite extensive public comment and consultation. So, there is an implication there to the extent that we may depart from a model that has reached some degree of community consensus. On behalf of the Government, I need time to look at these amendments. I imagine that the Liberal Party would also think it appropriate that it have time to consider these amendments in some detail.
Mr Moore: And Mr Moore's party.
MR CONNOLLY: And Mr Moore's party.
Mr Duby: Me too.
MR CONNOLLY: Mr Duby's party, and Mr Stevenson's party, and any other parties that may exist until we have single member electorates may also want to examine this in detail. I think the best course of action would be to agree in principle to the Bill, because that is clearly the view that has been indicated in the chamber; but that the detail stage be adjourned so that I can take some advice from my officers and we can get a government response to Mr Collaery's amendments. I can probably discuss them outside the chamber with Mr Collaery, to the extent that we see that it is open for us to agree to them. I would want to discuss them also with Mr Stefaniak to get a Liberal Party view on those amendments. I think that course would best aid the house in the consideration of this very important matter.
As all members who have spoken on the matter have indicated, we are attempting here to apply more modern and appropriate standards of accountability and control for voluntary organisations, which can involve vast amounts of money and significantly affect citizens of this community in a way not very different from the way a corporation will affect citizens' income and behaviour. This Bill attempts to apply the modern corporation-style controls to voluntary organisations, while preserving a degree of ease and convenience.
These voluntary organisations perform a vital role in many areas of the community and, inevitably, they are staffed and the managerial functions are performed by volunteers, who must be given a somewhat easier passage than a technically qualified company director or company secretary. I suggest to the Assembly that we agree to the Bill in principle but adjourn the detail stage.
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