Page 543 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 19 May 1992
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
of course, up to the Government. It could decide that some worthy person such as Mr Malcolm Mackerras should be given a consultancy to implement our new electoral system. If it chose to do so, well, that is basically up to the Government. I must say that I have some concerns about the idea of necessarily handing this matter over to the Australian Electoral Commission, although if that were the chosen course of action by the Government I would not see that as being terribly inappropriate.
Madam Speaker, we certainly intend to stand by our promises during the election campaign and during the referendum campaign, and we look forward to doing that in this house when the legislation comes forward. As I said, I hope that that happens sooner rather than later, and I certainly hope that the same sense of urgency and obedience to the electorate's wishes is well impressed on the Labor Government's mind.
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (3.35): Madam Speaker, I am sure that members in this Assembly know that this Assembly itself now has the power under the Australian Capital Territory Self-Government Legislation Amendment Act 1992 to determine the ACT's electoral system. This was a power that was sought repeatedly, not least through this Assembly as a result of significant pressure from the political parties here and, of course, as a result of the work of Assembly committees. It is a power that we actively sought to be transferred to this Assembly.
It is also the case, Madam Speaker, that there was wide support for a referendum to be held on the question of the ACT's electoral system. I take no small credit for the fact that that electoral referendum was held. I certainly was extremely active in seeking a commitment from the Federal Minister and in speaking on the issue, and I was very pleased indeed when the matter was put to the people of the ACT. I believe that it was entirely appropriate that they be asked for a preference on the question of the electoral system.
I was also very prompt to say that I would, in government, implement whatever the expressed wish of the people of the ACT should be, and I gave that commitment in good faith. I repeat it now. That is a commitment which I take seriously and which I will implement. Mr Kaine gave a similar commitment. Madam Speaker, the reason why both Mr Kaine and I gave that commitment was that we were, at that time, the alternatives for government of the ACT.
Mr Kaine: I still am.
MS FOLLETT: Mr Kaine still is, as he says, Madam Speaker. He represents the alternative government, and that is why his commitment was relevant, was sought, and, of course, was given. So, Madam Speaker, I would resile in no way from that commitment.
I do think it is surprising, though, that Mr Moore should seek, in effect, to hand over responsibility for this matter to a Commonwealth statutory authority. Madam Speaker, the Australian Electoral Commission is a body over which this Assembly, this Government, has no control, no real influence. Having fought so hard to gain the power for this Assembly, I can see no good reason to hand it back to the Commonwealth. It is clearly, as Mr Humphries has said, a matter for the ACT government, a matter for this Assembly.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .