Page 4653 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 15 December 1993
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That, unless the Speaker fixes an alternative date or hour of meeting on receipt of a request in writing from an absolute majority of Members, or the Assembly otherwise orders, the Assembly shall meet as follows for 1994:
February 22 23 24
March 1 2 3
April 12 13 14
19 20 21
May 10 11 12
17 18 19
June 14 15 16
August 23 24 25
September 13 14 15
20 21 22
October 11 12 13
November 8 9 10
29 30
December 1
6 7 8
The Government has developed a Legislative Assembly sitting pattern for 1994 which, as is customary, has been provided in draft form for consideration by members. The proposed sitting pattern takes into account comments by members. It takes into account a number of important matters, including the Assembly's move to the South Building which is scheduled for March next year. The pattern also takes into account the recent decision by the Government to bring its budget down before the start of the financial year. It is intended that the budget will be brought down on 14 June 1994.
The proposed 1994 sitting pattern also reflects a number of other considerations, including a solid sitting pattern in April and May next year to consider the electoral and separate service legislation, and a sitting period in August to consider the Estimates Committee report and the 1994 budget. Provision is also made for a substantial sitting period in November and December in recognition of the fact that this will be the last opportunity for the Assembly to meet prior to the ACT election in February 1995. Madam Speaker, I ask members to agree to the proposed sitting pattern for 1994 which is now before the Assembly.
MS SZUTY (4.02): I would like to thank the Government for giving me the opportunity to comment on the proposed sitting pattern for the Legislative Assembly in 1994. There are several features of the sitting pattern which are worthy of comment. The first is the reduction in sitting days from 45 days this year to, I believe, 42 days next year. I realise that there is a balance to be struck between the efficiency of Assembly processes and the accountability of the ACT Government, and it will remain to be seen next year whether the balance has
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