Page 1883 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 16 June 1993
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report to have an opportunity to be presented and possibly lie on the table in a draft form or in some kind of exposure form for a period before it is brought back formally to the Assembly. It may be that that would best be facilitated by providing for a slightly longer period in which the committee might report.
I point out that there is no compulsion on the committee to report on 30 June. It could certainly bring down a report sooner if it wished. But I feel that it is important not to have to have a position where the committee's time to report is extended and then not have the capacity to get the answers to these questions in a reasonable time.
MADAM SPEAKER: The amendment does need to be forwarded to us in writing, Mr Humphries.
MR HUMPHRIES: Yes.
MR STEVENSON (10.51): Madam Speaker, I support Mr Humphries's amendment. I think it makes sense. As he mentioned, the committee can report at any time before the reporting date. As the reporting date of March is not long after a quite long break for Christmas, it would seem to me - - -
Mr Berry: Are you going away on holidays, too? Is anybody going to be in town?
MR STEVENSON: Very soon, but not at Christmas. After a Christmas break, it is probably a good idea not to table a report immediately but to allow more time for communication once the report has been brought down and made available for public comment.
MR BERRY (Deputy Chief Minister) (10.52): As far as the Government is concerned, we will be opposing the amendment. We think there is plenty of time to resolve the committee's deliberations by 17 March. There has not been an argument put forward for an extension. If the committee chose to seek an extension at some point in the future, that might be something they could argue on the basis of its merit. As Mr Humphries has said, the committee may choose to report earlier. I think March is near enough. It is all a bit like testing the direction of the wind, with a bit of speculation about when the committee might conclude its deliberations. We will be opposing the amendment moved by Mr Humphries.
MR MOORE (10.53): I must say that I am very comfortable about it either way. The original date I set is fine, but the reporting date would still be in the control of the committee, basically. They can report when they are ready. On the other hand, it seems to me at this stage that March would be an adequate time. If there is any problem with the date, I feel very comfortable about coming back to the Assembly. I cannot see a need to change a time that was already agreed.
Amendment negatived.
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