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MR SPEAKER: But we will not pre-empt debate, will we, Mr Berry?

MR BERRY: Neither will we take sides, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, I would merely say, furthermore, that we have an obligation to ensure that that access by the community to our chamber is continued. I think the night sittings, though onerous in some respects and difficult for all of us because of the long hours, are nevertheless important for the community. Some of them have even taken the time to come and see it tonight, even with the awful burst of welcome weather, strange as it may seem, out there this evening. It is a debate, as you rightly say, that will occur later on this week, but one that needs to be mentioned, given that there is a level of interest despite the weather. I have great pleasure in informing the Government that we will be supporting this motion as we always will support, and always have supported, that open consultative council-style government we have had for years.

MR MOORE (8.44): I rise to support the motion, Mr Speaker. It is interesting that Mr Berry of all people should draw attention to what I think he called the odour of the first couple of Assemblies pointed out in the inaugural speeches of our parliamentary colleagues, and then go on to take issue about sitting on Tuesday night and access. I draw Mr Berry's attention to standing order 27, which was suspended effectively by a temporary standing order. Standing order 27, as it was originally put to the initial Assembly, was that the business would start on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 2.30 pm. It may be just as rational to say that the odour Mr Berry speaks of in so far as it would be caused by the removal of the Tuesday night sittings would have been caused by departing from the original standing orders. I think there is not much basis to the argument he puts. I am sure that we will have a good opportunity to discuss this matter at a later time this evening and again on Thursday. By supporting these temporary orders, we will be able to proceed in the appropriate manner with which we are familiar.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

COMMITTEES

Membership

MR SPEAKER: I am required to make a statement in relation to committee membership. In accordance with the resolution passed by the Assembly on 9 March 1995 relating to committee membership, I wish to inform members that the following members were declared by me to be appointed to the respective committees after I was notified in writing of their nominations: Standing Committee on Administration and Procedure - Mr Berry, Mr Hird and Ms Tucker; Standing Committee on Legal Affairs - Mr Connolly and Mr Kaine; Standing Committee on Planning and Environment - Mr Berry, Ms Horodny and Mr Kaine; Standing Committee on Public Accounts - Ms Follett, Ms Horodny and Mr Kaine; Standing Committee on the Scrutiny of Bills and Subordinate Legislation - Mr Hird and Mr Whitecross; Standing Committee on Social Policy - Mr Hird, Ms McRae and Ms Tucker; Standing Committee on Tourism and ACT Promotion - Mr Hird and Mr Wood.

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