Page 2552 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 23 August 1994
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On the other side of the fence, we have ideology. A careful scrutiny and examination of the Estimates Committee report shows that time and again answers were given, by Ministers in particular, suggesting that the only reason why things were or were not done was that it was Government policy. One of the classic examples was the glib way in which Mr Lamont, I recall, dismissed recommendations made by the Industry Commission, as if to say, "No matter what the Industry Commission says, if it disagrees with our ideology and our policy, it must be wrong, and it shall not be done. Throw away commonsense, throw away sensible debate, because we shall not be moved".
Mr Lamont: That is not what I said.
MR DE DOMENICO: It is. Mr Lamont should go back and read what he said. That is my recollection.
Mr Lamont: I have; and you have misquoted it again, like your colleagues misquoted.
MR DE DOMENICO: I look forward to Mr Lamont's contribution later on, Madam Speaker.
For people of the Labor Party to stand up in this place and criticise process is a complete nonsense and complete humbug. This Estimates Committee worked long and hard. Once again, I praise Ms Szuty for her successful attempt to water down certain phrases. Yes, it did happen. Of course it is a political process. It will always be a political process. I am sure that, if members opposite were on this side of the house, they would use it perhaps more rigorously and in a more blatant political way than we did. At least I can say this, Madam Speaker: Members on this side of the house and Mr Moore and Ms Szuty were there for 99.9 per cent of the time, which is more than can be said for the members opposite.
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (9.20): Madam Speaker, I present the Government's response to the report by the Select Committee on Estimates on the Appropriation Bill 1994-95.
I would like to thank the committee for its examination of Government expenditure and revenue estimates for 1994-95. I would also like to express appreciation to Ms Szuty for her role as chairperson of the committee. The positive contributions by members to the process of reviewing the annual budgets is welcomed by the Government. We have made a very firm commitment to ensure that every possible assistance is provided to the Estimates Committee in fulfilling its responsibilities. Indeed, members will have observed over the years of operation of this committee that there has been an increasing improvement in the range of information provided and in the timeliness of that information. It is certainly my view, Madam Speaker, that the committee is entitled to full and adequate information to assist it in its inquiries. I do apologise if that did not always seem to be the case in this particular Estimates Committee process.
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