Page 5850 - Week 18 - Tuesday, 10 December 1991
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no part benefit. A member cannot say, for example, "I wish to be a member of the scheme as from June 1990". You cannot do that under clause 13 of the legislation. That is the way I read it. It is an all or nothing scheme.
I think it would be outrageous if a member who was three-quarters of the way towards the total contribution that is required within the 30- or 60-day period that the Chief Minister has mentioned and unable to bridge the gap was unable to join the scheme for that portion of time for which the member had already accumulated funds. To me, that would not be fair. I think it would be quite appropriate for the board to look at those circumstances and say, "That seems to the board to be a sensible arrangement. Perhaps we can give you a little bit of time to come up with the total required".
I support the amendments. I think they are good amendments. I congratulate the Speaker on representing the interests of all the members of this Assembly and bringing this matter to our attention.
DR KINLOCH (10.08): I assure you that I do not have vast funds; but, as part of a family with a double income and a pension, I would not find it difficult to come up with the appropriate amount. One would have to sell something here or borrow something there. But I would like to feel that we would not make life difficult for those of the people in the Assembly who are on single incomes in what I can describe as single families - that is, people on their own. I do not think they have as easy a time of it as those of us with a double income. I think it would be especially hard for someone on a single income with a family. To ask such a person to come up with a considerable sum all of a sudden is unfair.
Question put:
That the amendments (Mr Prowse's) be agreed to.
The Assembly voted -
AYES, 11 NOES, 5
Mr Collaery Mr Berry
Mr Duby Mr Connolly
Mr Humphries Ms Follett
Mr Jensen Mrs Grassby
Mr Kaine Mr Wood
Dr Kinloch
Ms Maher
Mr Moore
Mrs Nolan
Mr Prowse
Mr Stefaniak
Question so resolved in the affirmative.
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