Page 4571 - Week 15 - Tuesday, 14 December 1993
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question about that. Mr Moore is just pulling another little stunt. It is another little stunt from the Independents. Independents are best described, often, as irresponsible, and this is one of those occasions where Independents would do better to take more responsible action.
Question put:
That the amendment (Mr Moore's) be agreed to.
The Assembly voted -
AYES, 8 NOES, 7
Mrs Carnell Mr Berry
Mr Cornwell Mr Connolly
Mr De Domenico Ms Ellis
Mr Humphries Ms Follett
Mr Kaine Mrs Grassby
Mr Moore Mr Lamont
Mr Stevenson Mr Wood
Ms Szuty
Question so resolved in the affirmative.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: I point out that Mr Westende is paired with Madam Speaker this evening.
Clause, as amended, agreed to.
Clause 9
MR MOORE (8.52): I move:
Page 5, line 15, add the following paragraph:
"(k) to do whatever is reasonably necessary to ensure that persons who wish to make a complaint are able to do so.".
Mr Deputy Speaker, the intention of this amendment really is to clarify. I do not think it adds a great deal new to the Bill. In fact, it takes the intention of the Bill and puts it in very plain language. I think it is fair to say that in proposing this Bill Mr Berry would have intended the commissioner to do whatever is reasonably necessary to ensure that persons who wish to make a complaint are able to do so. It probably could be argued that this amendment is redundant because the whole Bill is about doing that very thing. However, it seemed to me that, because the functions of the commissioner are set out in such a logical, rational and easy to read way, it would be appropriate that lay people who are reading this Bill, who perhaps pick it up for the first time, see that that is one of the roles of the commissioner, and that the commissioner, himself or herself, is also conscious that that is part and parcel of the task at hand. For that reason I have proposed this amendment.
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