Page 5515 - Week 17 - Wednesday, 4 December 1991
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In relation to this Bill, this is a very small, minor amendment. I think it revolves around the word "licence". The Government Law Office, the Parliamentary Counsel, the other lawyers in this place and I all saw no problem. There is still an argument as to whether indeed there really is a problem. However, BYO people in fact have what is called a permit; and it was the liquor board, I think, that brought this to Mr Connolly's attention. The amendment has been moved.
I would like to put on record that, whilst I would criticise some public servants and some people in some areas of government for not perhaps having as much professionalism and competence as I would like to see, this is certainly not so of the Parliamentary Counsel. I have had a few Bills drafted there over the last couple of years, and I have found the officers of the Parliamentary Counsel's Office, led by David Hunt, QC, to be thoroughly professional and very competent and dedicated individuals.
I would hate anything in this debate to be taken, or possibly taken, as a slur on that office and that very competent team of professionals who work there and provide this Assembly with some very good legislation. I would also remind members that we are all human. And one of the benefits of having an Assembly, as opposed to what we used to have 10 years ago - that is, a Federal government - is that if there is some slight problem, as we have seen here, it can be fixed very quickly. This was fixed within a week or so. The legislation is not due to be gazetted until about 11 December; so this amending Bill will go in with it, and we will end up with very, very good legislation.
In the past in the Territory, we have seen a lot of ordinances which have had a lot of problems. That will never completely go away. But the fact that we do have this body means that we can nip some potential problems in the bud and save a lot of court time and a lot of expense further down the track. So, I just think it is very appropriate, given that a few people are going off on a few tangents, that that goes on the record. Let us get on now and pass this sensible minor amendment.
MR JENSEN, by leave: Mr Speaker, I endorse the remarks made by Mr Stefaniak and Mr Connolly in relation to the support provided to the Assembly by the staff of the Parliamentary Counsel's Office.
Mr Kaine: We are debating the Bill, not the Parliamentary Counsel.
MR JENSEN: Mr Kaine, please!
MR SPEAKER: Order! Members, please reduce the noise level.
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