Page 4655 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 15 December 1993
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involved in those reports it will take some time for the Planning Committee to work its way through the very weighty amount of evidence that has been submitted to it. While that is necessary, it is a requirement that, within four or five months of concluding those hearings, we be able to table our reports here in the Assembly. That is the reason for the extra sitting week in March. I would also add that Easter next year falls in early April. The break between 3 March and 12 April allows for a quite clear period in which we have a very busy calendar in the ACT, including Easter.
There has been some concern expressed, Madam Speaker, about the length of the break between 16 June and 23 August. It is just on nine weeks. The normal break is somewhere between five and seven weeks. It is necessary next year because of the requirement for the capital works program to be inquired into by the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee. The Estimates Committee also will be required to sit through the same period. That is as a result of a change to the date on which the budget will be brought down next year. It is appropriate that there be time available. I think all members of the Assembly would be aware of the difficulties this year in fitting in the 90-odd hours of sitting which we were determined we would go through with. It is appropriate that a reasonable amount of time be given to ensure that members of the Assembly are able to investigate matters as far as the budget documents are concerned.
It is interesting to note that we have the two split weeks in November. The two split weeks in November are important. A third week would need to fit in between the first and the last week in November and would allow us to conclude any outstanding business which may be before us on the paper. It is interesting to note that as we come towards the end of this year, as it was when we approached the end of last year, we do not appear to have as much business on the notice paper to conclude as we did last year or, I am sure, we will have next year. If you look at the legislative program that is already in train, next year promises to be an extremely busy year. Now, with the return of the Minister, I have much pleasure in endorsing the proposal outlined.
MRS GRASSBY (4.09): I wonder whether everybody in the house realises, Madam Speaker, that because of your organisation of our move over to the new building we will be able to sit the extra week in March. It is really thanks to you that we will be able to do that. I was wondering whether the rest of the house realised that. You are taking on the enormous chore of getting us all moved over there, which we are all looking forward to. I wanted to make sure that the rest of the house knew that it was all up to you. Thank you, Madam Speaker, for that.
MR BERRY (Deputy Chief Minister) (4.10), in reply: Madam Speaker, I thank members for the chorused hurrah for the magnificent sitting pattern that has been placed before the Assembly. I hope that they show the same enthusiasm for attending in this place, and other places, in the course of the next sitting period.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
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