Page 6 - Week 01 - Friday, 27 March 1992
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Madam Speaker, the start of this Second Assembly marks another stage in our development as a self-governing Territory. We have gained further control over our own destiny. The Commonwealth has transferred the responsibility for the ACT electoral system to this Assembly. As I promised before the referendum, the Labor Government is fully committed to implementing the electoral system chosen by our community. We must now consider how to give detailed effect to the choice made by the people of the Territory.
As a further sign of our maturity, another task facing us is to consider plans for modest and appropriate accommodation for the Assembly in the future. In principle, the Government favours the South Building as the new location. I believe that this issue is best progressed through our committee system, and I shall further announce the Government's intentions in this area at a later stage.
Madam Speaker, our ability to help fashion a Canberra identity and help tackle the challenges I have outlined depends a lot on how we conduct ourselves as an Assembly and, indeed, the quality of our efforts. The Government will make every effort to encourage sensible, well-focused debate, to ensure that legislation is high in standard, that the Assembly has the chance to consider carefully all Bills, and that the committee system allows full consideration of the more complex or contentious issues of public policy facing our community.
The Government will seek to be open and accountable. I have asked Ministers to be as helpful as possible in providing members with information on government policies, and in providing details of forthcoming legislation and other relevant matters of government business. We will seek to focus on the substance of issues, not on personalities or cheap political point scoring. I do not suggest for a moment that debate will not be lively or will fail to reflect the real political differences that exist within this Assembly. I hope that the composition of this Second Assembly means that all members will be willing to adopt the same approach in the interests of all Canberrans.
Madam Speaker, I thank the Assembly again for electing me as Chief Minister and I trust that all members here will seek to echo the ideals that I have outlined.
STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS
MR KAINE: Madam Speaker, I would like to inform the Assembly that I have the honour to lead the ACT Parliamentary Liberal Party.
MR MOORE: Madam Speaker, I have the honour to inform the Assembly that I shall be sitting in this Assembly as an Independent.
MR STEVENSON: I have the honour to inform the Assembly that I shall be the leader of the Abolish Self Government Coalition in this Assembly.
MS SZUTY: Madam Speaker, I seek leave of the Assembly to declare myself as an Independent in this Assembly.
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