Page 3359 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 24 November 1992
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consensus process might have some future in this Assembly; but I would hazard a guess, Madam Speaker, that the next stage of the electoral provisions for the ACT will probably not be marked by such consensus because, clearly, the matters are far more complex and are far more amenable of debate.
Mr Humphries, in his comments, drew attention to the fact that this is but the first piece of legislation. Mr Humphries said, in fact, that the details of voting and counting are yet to be put in place, and he is quite right about that. There is ample material for any number of debates in the later stages of this matter. When you start to draw up a list of the issues which this Assembly will have to address, including the ones Mr Humphries has alluded to, they include such matters as the eligibility of voters and of candidates; the fees for candidates; the registration of parties; the disclosure of donations and, in fact, of all income and expenditure by parties; the public funding of elections; the process leading up to elections, the periods, for instance; where nominations are called; where ballot papers are printed; where polling places are; and what arrangements there might be for postal voting, for scrutiny of voting and for counting. All of that plethora of detail is a matter which this Assembly is yet to consider, and must consider, if we want to take full responsibility for the matter.
I guess, Madam Speaker, that, as we get further into that detail over the coming year, debate will be quite vigorous. I have no doubt that different parties will see their interests served in different ways, not to mention Independents, and we will have very vigorous debates about that.
Mr Kaine: Not to mention the Abolish Self Government Coalition.
MS FOLLETT: Indeed. Madam Speaker, I think for the moment that the Bill that we have before us is a necessary first step in that it will allow for the boundaries of the three electorates which the Hare-Clark system requires to be drawn up, and it sets out the process for that in full consultation with the community. I think it is important that we get on with that first step. I think it is also very important that we make it clear that this Assembly accepts that it is the Hare-Clark system that we are getting on with; that voters can be certain that at the next election they will be voting under a Hare-Clark system and that there is absolutely no doubt about that.
As I said, Madam Speaker, I thank members for their comments. I particularly thank them for their support of the Bill. If we can take this first step we are at least well on the way towards implementing our own electoral system for the ACT, which, I believe, is our responsibility as the ACT parliament.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
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