Page 3524 - Week 11 - Thursday, 14 October 1993
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank members for their contributions to this debate. I must say that I am somewhat concerned about the Select Committee on the Establishment of an ACT Public Service because it does seem to me that in setting about their inquiry into the ACT public service they so far have based all of their work upon submissions from the Government and briefing from the Government. I echo Mr Lamont's view that the chairman of this committee really is casting about for an agenda. I hope that his lack of knowledge and lack of direction do not cause delay in the process of legislating for a separate ACT public service. Madam Speaker, there has been every cooperation by the Government and our public servants so far with Mr De Domenico's committee, and that will remain the case; but I do not think it is fair for him to expect the Government to do his job for him. I believe, Madam Speaker, that if that committee starts to flounder in the task which they have given themselves they should be honest enough to say so and let the Government simply bring in its legislation, and then, if the committee wants to comment on it, proceed in that way. Mr De Domenico constantly has accused me of delay on this matter. He has made a great deal of mileage out of that and I think it would be very regrettable indeed if it were Mr De Domenico's committee that actually did cause delay.
Madam Speaker, the separation and creation of a new public service is a matter of great moment, and I think it is one that all members of this Assembly ought to enter into in a good spirit. Certainly, from the Government's point of view, we will continue to cooperate to the maximum extent with that committee. I trust that we will be able to adhere to the timetable that I have set for the exercise.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
PAPER
MR DE DOMENICO: Madam Speaker, I alluded before to a document which I now seek leave to table.
Leave granted.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - GOVERNMENT POLICIES
Ministerial Statement and Papers
Debate resumed from 15 September 1993, on motion by Ms Follett:
That the Assembly takes note of the papers.
MR LAMONT (4.47): I have pleasure in rising to address the paper tabled by the Chief Minister. A number of members of the Opposition have already had the opportunity to put on the record a number of comments about how they perceive business development, business policy and industry policy should proceed in the ACT. Madam Speaker, may I say at the outset that in a city the size of Canberra with a parliament the size of this Assembly it would not be an unreasonable expectation for the people of Canberra that industry development and business development policy could be arrived at in a bipartisan way.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .