Page 1903 - Week 07 - Thursday, 20 August 1992
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MR LAMONT (12.06): When this matter was last before the Assembly, there was some debate as to exactly how far we should proceed with this proposal for an inquiry through the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee. As chair of that committee I was somewhat concerned that it may be seen that we would be running an inquiry within the PDI Committee at the same time as having to assess the response in relation to the Territory Plan, which is expected to be back with the Assembly shortly. We indicated to Ms Szuty at the time that we would find some difficulty in supporting her proposition.
Further discussion, I understand, has taken place with the deputy chair and Leader of the Opposition, Mr Kaine, who proposed, before he was given some detention, that he would today seek leave to move an amendment. In discussions which have been held this morning, I understand that, if it is seen as appropriate and leave is granted, Mr De Domenico will be moving that amendment, which will be supported by this side of the house. I shall reserve any further comments until such time as that amendment is moved.
MR DE DOMENICO (12.07): Madam Speaker, I rise to agree with Mr Lamont. As Mr Humphries has said from time to time, there are occasions when members of this Assembly actually sit down and agree to things in a sensible way, and so it should be. I will be moving amendments, although initially they were in Mr Kaine's name. There is no doubt that there needs to be some sort of strategy in terms of the Territory Plan, and more work needs to be done on an appropriate strategy. The terms of this motion in Ms Szuty's name are obviously wide ranging. I dare say that it would be impossible for the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee, in the time it has - through the lifetime of this Assembly, in fact - and with its limited resources, to take on an inquiry of that nature. I seek leave to move two amendments together.
Leave granted.
MR DE DOMENICO: I move:
Omit the words "Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Infrastructure" and substitute the word "Government".
Paragraph (7), omit the paragraph and substitute the following new paragraph (7):
"reporting to the Assembly on progress at the end of each quarter (30 November 1992, 28 February 1993 and 31 May 1993), with a final report by the first sitting day in August 1993.".
Very succinctly, Madam Speaker, this amendment says that it is the Government, quite appropriately, that ought to be conducting an inquiry of this kind. It also says that, should the Assembly accept the amendment, the Government will report back to this Assembly on 30 November 1992, 28 February 1993 and 31 May 1993, with a final report by the first sitting day in August 1993. What we are saying is that an inquiry of this importance ought to be correctly conducted by the Government for the benefit of all members of the Assembly. If there is one thing the Territory Plan does lack at this stage, it is some sort of forward strategy, and this gives the Government an opportunity of presenting that strategy to the Assembly.
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