Page 1881 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 16 June 1993
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In January this year, I announced that I would be preparing the Bill I have just tabled, and that has brought about a significant amount of debate. The Bill, I believe, does address the issues appropriately; but, because this is the first time that any such legislation has been tabled in Australia, it is appropriate that further discussion take place. One of the best ways to allow appropriate public discussion is through a select committee of this Assembly. Mr Stevenson would be aware that at a debate on this issue at Erindale Centre last Thursday night, I mentioned that I would be seeking to have a select committee appointed on this issue, and I have been negotiating to achieve that end.
It is also important to point out that the motion deals with one of the standing orders that would otherwise present some difficulty, and we have had a problem with this before. Standing order 174 provides:
Immediately after a bill has been agreed to in principle a Member may move that the bill be referred to a select or standing committee.
We need to have that final provision in the motion because this Bill has not been debated to the in-principle stage, nor would it be appropriate to do so until we have sorted out some of the issues associated with it. For those reasons, Madam Speaker, I have moved for the establishment of this select committee.
MR BERRY (Deputy Chief Minister) (10.45): Madam Speaker, the proposal for a committee of inquiry in relation to this matter has been strongly supported by Mr Moore. It pays no regard to the fact that Mr Moore will be away for a couple of months in the early part of the committee's work, and it strikes me as odd that a committee should be set up when somebody who, I presume, wants to be chairperson will be away. He sought leave yesterday to be away for a couple of months. That is a really odd arrangement, it seems to me.
The Labor Party is a bit puzzled about why a committee would proceed. Nevertheless, Mr Moore has his heart set on it, and it does allow for an additional period of consultation and agitation around the issue, which I am sure will occur. The Labor Party is quite comfortable with that extra time, but is puzzled at the approach that has been taken by Mr Moore. If it is important to get it up so quickly, perhaps it should have been important enough to require his attendance in town to deal with the issue. However, he deals with it the way he wants to.
The Labor Party will support the establishment of the committee. We are not in a position to provide the name of a member; we have not decided on a member for the committee, and it is not our timetable. We will be deciding in due course who amongst the Labor Party, firstly, might be interested in the position and, secondly, will be nominated.
MR STEVENSON (10.47): I did attend the debate that Mr Moore lost last Thursday night to Spencer Gear.
Mr Moore: Each person was able to judge, so Dennis judged that I lost. Okay.
MR STEVENSON: No; actually I am a debating critic. Not only I judged that you lost; people that support you - - -
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