Page 1009 - Week 04 - Thursday, 18 June 1992
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One thing that it is most important, I guess in stylistic terms, for the committee to look at these days is that Bills and explanatory memoranda are written in plain English. I find it a little ironic that the motion is formed in this way. I realise what has happened; the previous terms of reference have been taken and the same language has been used.
I think there is a certain irony in the fact that the language used in this case is not itself in plain English. I am taking the opportunity to urge members of the committee to take a plain English approach as part of the stylistic standards that they are looking at. We know that Parliamentary Counsel in the ACT have been working towards a plain English approach. I think they have been getting better and better. When I read some of the legislation from other States and compare it with what we have as new legislation in the ACT, we are head and shoulders above what the other States are doing. I urge members of that committee to continue to ensure that plain English is the order of the day.
MRS GRASSBY (12.00), in reply: I thank members. May I say that it was Mr Humphries, who does have a legal background, who felt that the terms of many things were not in plain English. I completely agree with him. If you have a legal background you understand a lot of these things. I sit up at night and read many of the Bills in order to try to understand them before they come before our committee. There are many times when I am baffled as to what they mean. I was very pleased when Mr Humphries put this motion up. I feel that it will help the people of Canberra to understand a little more of exactly what we are doing in this house. I also thank Mr Moore for his support on this. He is not on the committee, but I thank him for supporting this motion.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
SOCIAL POLICY - STANDING COMMITTEE
Inquiry into Aged Accommodation and Support Services
MS ELLIS (12.01): I seek leave to make a statement regarding a new inquiry by the Standing Committee on Social Policy.
Leave granted.
MS ELLIS: I wish to inform the Assembly that on 22 May 1992 the Standing Committee on Social Policy resolved to inquire into and report on aged accommodation and support services. Madam Speaker, the Social Policy Committee held discussions with a number of appropriately representative groups prior to the adoption of the terms of reference for this inquiry. The terms of reference are:
To inquire and report on aged accommodation and support services in the ACT with particular reference to the following:
(1) the current and future needs for aged accommodation and support services;
(2) the identification of any "gaps" in the current provision of aged accommodation and support services - in particular, access to affordable non-government housing; and
(3) strategies designed to improve the provision of aged accommodation and support services.
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