Page 1335 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 10 May 1994
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Importantly, Andersens recommended that it would be useful for an interim period, which is why they call it an interim board - they say to the end of this year - to continue to take advantage of an outside consultant, and we have indeed negotiated with Arthur Andersen to continue to have an outside person on while this body is setting itself up. It will be set up forthwith. Other recommendations, as will be obvious to people reading the report, are subject to budget consideration by Cabinet and will be announced in due course. But in order to save you all a lot of worry and a lot of questions over the next two weeks I thought it was better to table the report today.
Assembly Members - Staff Entitlements
MR DE DOMENICO: Madam Speaker, my question without notice is directed to the Chief Minister. I refer the Chief Minister to her statement about staff entitlements on 19 April 1994 in which she said:
As far as I am aware, there is no proposal other than that Mr Berry should have the same entitlement as do other backbenchers.
I ask the Chief Minister: Does she stand by this statement, or has she misled the Assembly?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, I have certainly not misled the Assembly. I should say to members that I have been giving consideration, as I undertook to do in response to Mr Humphries, to the question of staffing entitlements. Madam Speaker, I think it is fair to say that I have discussed the matter briefly with you but not with other members who are affected by my consideration. I will be advising all members of my decisions very shortly.
MR DE DOMENICO: I ask a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Can the Chief Minister assure the Assembly that no Executive staffing resources are being or will be used in respect of Mr Berry's entitlement? In other words, can the Chief Minister assure the Assembly that she will not be preserving factional peace by giving Mr Berry more than any other backbencher is entitled to?
MS FOLLETT: Mr Berry's entitlements are a matter for the Speaker, Madam Speaker, as I am sure you are aware. It is in that regard that I have discussed the matter briefly with the Speaker. As I say, I will be advising all members in due course.
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