Page 2343 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 22 June 1994
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Autonomous instrumentalities need flexibility. I am sure that that is the reason why the Government has this as part of its Bill - to allow autonomous instrumentalities to operate in a way that is appropriate to the marketplace that they operate in. The marketplace is different, obviously, for the DPP and for ACTEW. What they both need is the capacity to make decisions and to get on with the task that they were set up to do, without interference and certainly without control by or direction from the Minister. By passing this particular amendment we will achieve that.
Having heard Mr Moore's comments on the DPP, it would appear that he also supports the need for the DPP, particularly, not to be subject to direction from the Minister. Certainly the Opposition, the Liberal Party, very much supports that approach. We want to make sure that these autonomous instrumentalities, as defined by the Government's Bill, cannot be used for the Government's own political purposes and really have a capacity to get out there and do the job that they were set up to do.
MR LAMONT (Minister for Urban Services, Minister for Housing and Community Services, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport) (2.56): We oppose Mrs Carnell's provision. Mrs Carnell has proposed the omission of "or" from paragraph (d), line 17, and the inclusion of an additional paragraph so that an autonomous instrumentality is not included in the definition of "Territory instrumentality". That would mean that it would be outside the service. Madam Speaker, we have had this debate already this morning. I believe that it would be superfluous to continue it at any length this afternoon. We are opposing this provision on the same basis as we did this morning. I believe that that should be enough to conclude the debate.
Amendments negatived.
Clause, as amended, agreed to.
Clause 5
MRS CARNELL (Leader of the Opposition) (2.57), by leave: I move together amendments Nos 5 and 6 circulated in my name. They read as follows:
5. Page 6, line 34, paragraph (d), omit "or".
6. Page 7, line 1, add the following paragraphs:
"(f) the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions; or
(g) the Legal Aid Commission (A.C.T.).".
Madam Speaker, amendment No. 5 facilitates amendment No. 6. I understand that Mr Moore is going to move an amendment to my amendment, and that is something that the Liberal Party would support. My amendment attempts to ensure that it is absolutely definite that the Legal Aid Commission is outside the service. It clarifies a position that
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