Page 1950 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 15 June 1994
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This amendment was reached by consensus after the Chief Minister distributed the names of public servants and others appointed to statutory offices to whom the Bill would apply. It was quite clear, as the Attorney-General had pointed out, that people such as the dog controller, who was a public servant, ought not to be caught up in the Bill. That was never the intention of the Bill, and we should exempt them. When I discussed with Parliamentary Counsel whether we should proceed with a schedule to the Bill of the type the Chief Minister talks about or take a more generic approach, Parliamentary Counsel advised me of some of the difficulties that would arise out of having a schedule to the Bill, in that every Act that was enacted after that that had a statutory appointment would require a further amendment to that schedule. It appeared to be a far more effective way to have a generic statement.
One of the things that are important about this legislation is that it is landmark legislation. It is the first time in Australia that a parliament has sought this type of accountability. That being the case, the minimalist approach Mr Humphries talks about is entirely appropriate, and the fact that we can see a consensus view coming from the parliament, recognising this as an acceptable approach, even if it is not the favoured position, is a rather strong recommendation of the work done in this Assembly on issues such as these.
The amendment deals, firstly, with the appointment of public servants and exempts those and, secondly, with appointments of persons in an acting position when that acting position does not exceed six months or where the person is not appointed for a second term. So they can act the first time but they cannot go into a subsequent consecutive period. I think that also accounts for any way in which this could be misused by a future government. Madam Speaker, for those reasons I commend this amendment to my Bill.
Amendment agreed to.
Remainder of Bill, as amended, agreed to.
Bill, as amended, agreed to.
HOUSING ASSISTANCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992
Debate resumed from 2 March 1994, on motion by Mr Cornwell:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
MR MOORE (11.37): I am shuffling a few papers here to find what I have done about this piece of legislation. Madam Speaker, I think it is important that we recognise that this Bill has been circulated with an amendment foreshadowed to subsection 17A(1). Mr Cornwell has foreshadowed that paragraph (d) be added. Subsection 17A(1) would then read:
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