Page 666 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 20 May 1992
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To conclude, Madam Speaker, it is not an amount that I would expect to accumulate at a rapid rate, and it is certainly from an account which has many other purposes.
Mr Cornwell: Why put it in, under those circumstances?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, Mr Cornwell asks, "Why put it in?". I think it is much better to make some arrangement for a residual amount than to make no arrangement at all and have the interest account showing a balance for which there is no stated purpose. I believe that what we are looking at here is pretty much a standard arrangement. It was made by the Alliance in their legislation when they were in government. I would stick by it; I think it is a sensible arrangement. It is much better to have a stated purpose for this money than to leave any purpose unstated.
MR DE DOMENICO (4.01): Madam Speaker, let me cover very briefly what the Chief Minister said initially, that she was concerned about the constraint upon the Minister in making appointments. I suggest that there would in fact be no constraint because both of the industries would be asked to submit at least three nominations - it could be three or 303 - from which the Minister would then pick and appoint two people. So, I suggest that the right, in my opinion, is still there.
The other thing about which the Chief Minister said that she was concerned is the fact that the good of the community ought to be protected. I respectfully suggest that I believe that by appointing at least two people from the industry the community good would be considered by the people who are appointed. It was pleasing to hear the Chief Minister once again use the words "continue to consult", and we think that is very fine.
The other point that I need to make is about the coverage of the industry. Madam Speaker, my recollection is, and my advice tells me, that at no stage in the ACT has the membership of the Real Estate Institute been less than 80 per cent. Sometimes it is higher, but it has never been less than 80 per cent. I am advised also that, as far as the travel agents are concerned, it is never less than 70 per cent. The argument that I put forward now is that perhaps that would increase if these amendments were passed. I am also advised that, when things like this happen in other States and Territories, the whole of the industry is invited to nominate, so that not only are those members of the real estate industry and travel industry asked but also every other member is asked and then someone is elected by the industry.
The other point to be made is about the monetary situation. I believe that the similar situation in Queensland has accumulated funds to the tune of $70m. I am not suggesting that the ACT is ever going to accumulate that amount, but any great amount of money would be of concern, as Mr Cornwell said.
Finally, Madam Speaker, I remind members of the situation that occurred prior to the election when a certain board made the front pages of the newspaper from day to day. This amendment would tend to add a little more protection from time to time, should Ministers of any political persuasion be inclined to appoint people who are well known to them, instead of people who might know something about what they are talking about. For all those reasons, I still say that the amendments ought to be considered very seriously, and I hope that the Government changes its mind.
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