Page 1109 - Week 04 - Thursday, 21 April 1994
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circumstances, be allowed to disclose information to the Ombudsman, the Auditor-General or certain officers within departments, and in some cases to the public. Officers who follow the prescribed procedures will not be subject to any disciplinary or criminal action, and any victimisation as a result of the disclosure will be an offence. These provisions are part of the Government's ongoing commitment to greater accountability in public sector management in the ACT Government Service. With the assumption of full responsibility for its own public service, the Territory also assumes responsibility for occupational health and safety matters in the public sector. This area is currently regulated by Commonwealth law. The Bill provides for the application of the Territory's Occupational Health and Safety Act 1989, with appropriate modifications for the public sector based on the currently applicable Commonwealth law.
I wish to foreshadow the Government's intention to introduce a Public Service (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Bill. I expect that it will be ready for introduction in the May sittings, for cognate debate with this Bill. The Government would have liked to introduce the Bill today, but it has not been possible to complete the drafting. As before, the Government will make copies of the draft available to unions for consultation and to the Select Committee on the Establishment of an ACT Public Service to assist in their deliberations.
Madam Speaker, when I addressed the Assembly in 1992 about the Government's decision to establish the new service, I spoke of the vision of creating the best system of public sector management in Australia. After six years and the devolvement of employees from 10 Commonwealth departments, five major statutory authorities and numerous smaller agencies, totalling 140 in all, I can say with great pride that we are now very close to achieving that vision. In conclusion, this Bill delivers on the Government's commitment to establish a unified, merit based and equitable public service. It is one of the most important Bills ever considered by the Assembly. Madam Speaker, I present the explanatory memorandum to the Bill.
Debate (on motion by Mr Kaine) adjourned.
NATIVE TITLE BILL 1994
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (10.44): I present the Native Title Bill 1994.
Title read by Clerk.
MS FOLLETT: I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to present to the Assembly the Native Title Bill 1994. This Bill arises from a decision of the High Court of Australia that has had a profound impact upon Australia and Australians. That decision has asked us as a nation to reassess fundamentally our relationships with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders.
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