Page 1389 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 11 May 1994
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By ensuring that anabolic steroids go into a black market system, we do not slow down the sale of such drugs. All that happens is that we develop a black market system which is based on pyramid selling and is a very effective method of dragging in new people. They are the sorts of risks that need to be considered carefully by members over the next couple of weeks in dealing with this issue. I am absolutely delighted with the approach of the Labor and Liberal parties in being prepared to take a bit of extra time to consider the harm minimisation aspect. It is quite clear that the numbers are there to push this through today, should people wish to do it, so that extra bit of time is greatly appreciated.
Debate (on motion by Ms Szuty) adjourned.
PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURE BILL 1994
Debate resumed from 23 February 1994, on motion by Mrs Carnell:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (11.14): Madam Speaker, the Public Interest Disclosure Bill, as members will be aware, deals with the issue of whistleblowing. That is usually taken to mean the scope for officers or contractors to report suspected maladministration or corruption they come across in the course of their job, for that matter to be properly investigated, and for the officer concerned to be given protection in the course of making such reports.
Members will be aware that the Government's Public Sector Management Bill, which I introduced during the Assembly's last sittings, contains whistleblower provisions. It is my view that the provisions contained in the Public Sector Management Bill are superior to those offered in the Public Interest Disclosure Bill, and I will go into some detail on that. I also consider that the embedding of whistleblower provisions in the Public Sector Management Bill is the preferred course of action because that Bill covers the variety of conditions of employment for government officers, and the whistleblowing arrangements are very much a part of the employment regime for public servants. I put it to the Assembly that the Public Sector Management Bill is the preferable course of action.
I would like to go through the issues in the Public Interest Disclosure Bill to which I take exception. My own whistleblowing provisions in the Public Sector Management Bill are based on the recommendations of the Gibbs committee. The Gibbs committee and my legislation which flows from it provide a model that I believe is perfectly adapted for this Territory. It was developed in the administrative law framework of the Commonwealth and, as members will know, in this Territory we have closely followed that framework. That is a general criticism of the Bill we have before us. Mrs Carnell's Bill is not based on a model that was specifically developed for use in the Territory. It certainly does not appear to be. It duplicates many of the provisions that exist in other Acts, and I will go into some detail on that. Those Acts include, for instance, the Ombudsman Act and the Public Service Act.
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