Page 1355 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 12 May 1993
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Members who are concerned about fighting crime would be interested to know of the cooperation between the Motor Vehicle Registry and the police. That training now allows the motor vehicle inspectors to identify what may be either a stolen car or stolen parts. The stolen parts racket is probably at the heart of theft of motor vehicles in that age range. We have already started to identify vehicles that have been stolen or that contain significant parts that have been stolen, as a result of that training that has been around for only a month or so. It is already bearing fruit, which hopefully will indicate that we will continue to bring the trend down - down, Mr Humphries, not up.
Community Consultation
MR CORNWELL: Madam Speaker, pursuant to standing order 116 I would like to ask Mrs Carnell a question in relation to notice No. 6, which she has on the notice paper. I ask Mrs Carnell whether she is aware of any instances where the Government has made decisions affecting the people of Canberra without any consultation with those worthy citizens of the ACT?
MRS CARNELL: Thank you very much for the question, Mr Cornwell.
Mr Connolly: We will go and have a cup of tea while you sort this out amongst yourselves, if you like.
MRS CARNELL: I could try to do a Mr Berry. Due to the requirement to be brief, there is absolutely no way that I could go through all of the instances where this Government has failed to consult with the community, but I will go through a few glaring examples. First of all, of course, is the one that has been brought up in this place before, the hospice on Acton Peninsula. We all know that Mr Berry, on 27 April 1993, announced the hospice, and announced its siting on the Acton Peninsula before the NCPA committee especially set up to look at the overall plan for Acton had had a chance to report. The thing that really brings it into context is Mr Berry's comment that day when he said, "Well, the NCPA will just have to work around my decision".
Another good example is an announcement by the Attorney-General on 28 April 1993 that references to the Queen in all oaths and affirmations would be removed. Again, there was no public consultation; no consultation with the Assembly; no opportunity to see what the outcome of the republic debate may or may not be. The Attorney-General again, on 29 March 1993, announced that Supreme Court fees would go up dramatically. The Law Society received their letter on 25 March to tell them about it, and that was for an April implementation. Even the Federal Government was able to tell the Law Society of similar changes with five months' notice. Again, there was no consultation with Canberra's legal community. These are the sorts of changes that cost Canberrans substantially more money.
There was the Minister for Health's announcement on 17 February 1993 that smoking would be banned in ACT clubs and hotels. There was no consultation with the relevant industry groups before the announcement and it was made without reasonable lead time for implementation. Hardship will inevitably be caused to owners and to employees as well. Politicians are the servants, not the masters, and public consultation is the basis of good government. These are just a few of many examples of absolute lack of consultation by this Government, and I look forward to debating the motion.
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