Page 2417 - Week 09 - Thursday, 17 September 1992
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Together, the provision of indexation and additional growth funding demonstrates that this Government has a clear commitment to enable those community organisations to maintain the level of service they provide to their clients. In addition, $120,000 of additional funding will be provided this year to the employment and training grants program. That will be additional support to those community organisations that provide employment and training opportunities to the people in our community who face terrible disadvantage in the labour market. I believe that the package I have advised underlines the importance the Government places on these community organisations and properly reflects the fact that they are having to work harder, provide more services, and also maintain their own staffing at a time of national recession.
Estimates Committee
MR BERRY: I ask a question of Ms Szuty as chair of the Estimates Committee. Noting that the Liberals supported the establishment of the Estimates Committee and that it is a committee of the whole, and noting that the Estimates Committee process is an integral part of Assembly duties, is it true that the Estimates Committee will be depleted by 25 per cent due to the absence from Assembly duties of half the Liberal members?
Mr Kaine: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I refer you to standing order 116 and ask whether the question is in order in the first place.
MADAM SPEAKER: I looked at standing order 116 because it was unusual to see Mr Berry on his feet, and I think the question is in order. Our rules simply say:
Questions may be put to a Member, not being a Minister, relating to any bill, motion, or other public matter connected with the business of the Assembly, of which the Member has charge.
I believe that it is within the interpretation of the standing orders that I can allow that. To be quite fair, I point out to you that it is not House of Representatives practice, but I will allow it in this instance. Perhaps it is something we should pay attention to in the review of standing orders that is forthcoming. Would you proceed, Ms Szuty.
MS SZUTY: Could I ask Mr Berry to repeat the question, for my benefit.
MADAM SPEAKER: Yes, I ask Mr Berry to do that.
MR BERRY: Thank you for the opportunity to repeat the question. Noting that the Liberals supported the establishment of the Estimates Committee, and that it is a committee of the whole, and noting that the Estimates Committee process is an integral part of Assembly duties, is it true that the Estimates Committee will be depleted by 25 per cent due to the absence from Assembly duties of half the Liberal members?
MS SZUTY: As members will be aware, several motions were proposed this morning indicating that several of the Liberal members would be absent for part of the Estimates Committee process. So yes, Mr Berry is quite correct.
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