Page 3618 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 19 October 1993
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MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (9.13), in reply: I thank members for their comments on this paper. The Council of Australian Governments was established with the aim of increasing cooperation amongst all Australian governments in the national interest. Despite that aim, I think it is inevitable that a gathering of all the heads of government in Australia will provide a forum for consideration of matters on which there will not always be agreement and on which there will be an element of tension from time to time. That has certainly been the case in relation to the High Court's ruling on Mabo.
There were a great many issues discussed at the June 1993 meeting of COAG. Members opposite have avoided mentioning any of the more successful issues that were resolved there, but they included matters such as reducing the number of ministerial councils from 45 to 21 - on the initiative of the ACT, I might add. I did not hear any congratulations flowing on that. Electricity reform was touched upon. Arrangements were put in place for the celebration of the centenary of Federation - something which surely will affect this Territory more than any other place. There was discussion on Commonwealth-State roles and responsibilities, eliminating duplication and so on. Nevertheless, Mabo was the most contentious issue discussed and it was the most challenging issue that had to be faced by COAG. That challenge remains with the Commonwealth Government, which is proposing to introduce its legislation next month.
I want to make a couple of comments on the Mabo issue, Madam Speaker. In my view, if ever an opposition has failed the test of leadership, it has been the Federal Opposition over the Mabo issue. They have completely failed to indicate any kind of cooperation, any kind of bipartisan approach on this issue. They have sought from the very start of the debate to follow a line that was divisive, that was aimed at - - -
Mr Humphries: On a point of order, Madam Speaker: The debate is about the ACT, and the Federal Opposition is not part of this debate. It is about the heads of government meeting, and no member of the Federal Opposition was at that meeting. I suggest that it is not relevant for Ms Follett to talk about the Federal Opposition.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Humphries, the debate does allow discussion of Mabo, and it was a Commonwealth heads of government meeting, which would include the Federal Opposition in terms of authority.
MS FOLLETT: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I can understand why the Liberals are smarting. If ever there was a failure to demonstrate not only leadership but also a national interest, it was by the Federal coalition on this issue.
Mr De Domenico: Rubbish; absolute rubbish! You back-pedalled like you would not believe.
MADAM SPEAKER: Order! The Chief Minister has the floor.
MS FOLLETT: I can understand Mr De Domenico totally losing his composure as I make those comments. Madam Speaker, I have only to ask members to compare and contrast the performances of the Prime Minister and Mr Reith on this matter.
Mr De Domenico: The Prime Minister has had more moves than the Hong Kong acrobatic troupe, I tell you.
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