Page 3972 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 16 December 1992
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Mr Moore also misrepresented the situation when he said that I poll to get answers that I want. The truth is that we contacted the Australian Bureau of Statistics. We set out the details of the survey techniques that we use in applying demographic principles to my role as an MLA. The detailed written response and advice included a table that the ABS formulated especially for the circumstances of the constituent surveys we have been doing for some years. That table is designed to calculate the maximum possible error rate in a given survey result, depending on the sampling size and percentile responses to a particular question in the survey. That precise method is always applied to identify the specific variations which may apply to my office's surveys. When other members start surveying their constituents and acting on the instructions so obtained, then their opinion on survey techniques will carry more weight.
Mr Moore also said that he gives copies of Bills to key players. I am sure that we try to give copies of Bills to key players; but I suggest that members may not know all the key players, and they may not want to know some of the key players. Mr Humphries agreed with the diagnosis but disagreed with the treatment. I say that if we wait too long the patient will be dead.
Mr Lamont talked about four facets of legislation. He said that the Government has a proactive policy arrived at by consultation. What about the age of consent being reduced to 13 years in Labor Party policy? Does that come within proactive policy? He then talked about reactive legislation to rectify particular anomalies and omissions. That is one of the very reasons I have moved this motion. Many of these anomalies, omissions and unintended consequences occur because Bills are rammed through this house, and just about every member has spoken on such things in this Assembly. Mr Lamont then talked about revenue - that is, tax - increases. Boy, we should slow those down so that people have an opportunity to comment.
Ms Szuty talked about her policy before the election that Bills lie on the table for some considerable time. It is a pity she then said that she will not vote to make sure that that happens. She talked about there being no perceived purpose. Let me suggest that politicians in this Assembly may not perceive the purpose; but, if you talk to enough people, you may find different perceptions.
Mr Wood said that I think self-government should be abolished, and he then misrepresented that by saying that I did not support democracy. Let us look at two points. Firstly, any suggestion that this Assembly is self-government for Canberra is an absurdity. The second thing is that the majority of people, not just I, want it abolished. He talked about the openness of this system. This is the very Minister who refused to see constituents on the matter of abortion and who, I have been told, in the past has also refused point-blank to see constituents. Madam Speaker, Mr Connolly referred to 90 years before. I think the 90 years should be kept for politicians who refuse to grant democracy.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Stevenson, your time has expired.
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