Page 259 - Week 01 - Thursday, 18 February 1993
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I have one reservation about it. It is all very well to say, "We will provide the Assembly with certain information". In a sense, that makes it publicly known that the information is there if somebody wants to go and get it. The Minister has not told us what will happen if a private citizen fronts up to the John Overall Offices and says, "I want to have a look at this lease". Is it going to be made available to him freely or is he going to have to pay to get access to the document so that he can find out what is going on? However, that is merely a mental reservation that I have.
I accept the Minister's good intent in putting this amendment forward. The Opposition will agree to it, but we will be observing it over the next year or so to make sure that nobody is disadvantaged and that the thing is still functioning in the public interest. We will support the Bill, Madam Speaker.
MR WOOD (Minister for Education and Training, Minister for the Arts and Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning) (4.40), in reply: I note what Mr Kaine says. I thank him for his comments. I expect that this is the sort of information that is generally available and does not have to be accessed through freedom of information processes. The Act we are amending has a great number of provisions where material is made available. I will ensure for Mr Kaine that, should someone in the public also seek this information, they can come to us or it will be available across the counter within the department. I make the comment, following a comment from Ms Szuty, that people will now get a list of the leases. If a member or other person wants to see a lease, they will also get it. The commitment also extends to any agreement collateral to the lease. Any attachment to the lease will also be available. I will give that commitment. I thank members for their support. I am sure that this will be a workable system and that we will appreciate it.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Detail Stage
Bill, by leave, take as a whole
MR WOOD (Minister for Education and Training, Minister for the Arts and Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning) (4.42): I move:
Page 1, clause 2, line 6, omit the clause, substitute the following clause:
Commencement
"2. This Act commences on the day on which it is notified in the Gazette.".
The amendment relates to the commencement date. The Bill was thought to be going through last year.
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