Page 3913 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 9 November 1994
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Mr Deputy Speaker, that, I would have assumed, would have been enough indication to most thinking people that the question of the whistleblower legislation that had remained on the table had been given consideration through that process and would again be reviewed by that committee. That is the appropriate mechanism for that to be done. But, lo and behold, what do we find? No. Suddenly, it is urgent again, and they say, "Let us bring it on. Let us see whether we can grab the headline. Let us see whether the press release goes out. The Government is not doing it properly". This same person, Mr Deputy Speaker, and this same party last week were whingeing, once again - carping, dare I say - that the Wastewatch hotline was a waste of money because it did not provide an opportunity for people to raise issues and to say to the Government, "Here is a problem that you have; here is something that you should do". What they are now suggesting is that this piece of legislation will provide greater opportunity. That is absolute nonsense.
This Assembly already has established, I believe, the proper framework for these matters to be dealt with. This Assembly, I submit, has determined what shall be contained in the public service Act and has established a process to review that and to see to its implementation. I believe that that is the proper process for this Assembly to follow as far as whistleblower legislation is concerned.
Mrs Carnell: The committee did not.
MR LAMONT: Mrs Carnell says, "The committee did not". I am sorry; this Assembly, at the end of the day, quite rightfully, has the right to determine its view. It did so, and it did so in two distinct parts, Mrs Carnell. It said, "Reject what Mrs Carnell has proposed and what the committee proposed and allow the legislation to go forward in this manner". In a very long, involved and detailed debate, the Assembly determined to proceed with the separate service legislation in a particular manner and in a particular timeframe, but said, "There are questions that will need to be further considered. We will need to keep the Government and the public service on their toes as far as the operation of this Act and the administration of a separate service are concerned".
This Assembly took, in my view, the right decision in establishing a standing committee. It took the right decision in appointing as its chair Mr Kaine - a member of the Opposition and somebody who has considerable experience in public administration. I think that is the appropriate way to go. We also took the decision to appoint other members of this Assembly to that committee to review the operations of the Act and the provisions contained within it.
Mrs Carnell: Why did we not refer the Bill?
MR LAMONT: I would also suggest that what it should also be looking at, if it has not yet undertaken the task, is the appropriateness of the whistleblower legislation and whether or not opportunity is being afforded for those types of circumstances that Mrs Carnell carps on about being raised. That is the appropriate way for this matter to be progressed.
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