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Mr Speaker, this is a perfectly straightforward motion. It is the same as has been put to this Assembly for each of the last six years. It establishes an estimates committee. I repeat that the terms of reference of that committee are to review the budget brought down by the Government and to report back to it so that there can be a comprehensive, informed debate, with all members participating at the time the Appropriation Bill is debated in detail, which probably will be around October or November. There is nothing unusual, nothing hidden, nothing obscured, no lack of consultation. It is a straightforward process. I suggest that the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition need to go back to square one and review what the budget process is. They should have a look at some of the budget papers they themselves introduced into this house, so that they know what is actually involved, what is included in them. If they do that, they might even be able to participate intelligently in the processes of the Estimates Committee. They might.

MR MOORE (3.58): To a certain extent, we have wasted quite a bit of time on a matter that is largely irrelevant. When I look at this motion, I guess that, in framing such motions myself, at the end of paragraph (1) I normally would have put “and any other related matters”. When I look at the amendment Ms Follett has proposed, it strikes me, and this has been emphasised by both Mr Humphries and Mr Kaine, that it just opens things a little more, in the way that “and any other related matters” would. I really do not know why this is causing such problems. The estimate committees, anyway, have invariably addressed whatever issues they have wanted to. If it is a matter to do with budget, it covers whatever we are dealing with, and that is always how our estimates committees have responded. I do not think there is much room for conflict. It probably simplifies the motion a little and, as such, I am happy to support it.

I would also like to foreshadow something that, I think, will make the workings of this committee a little easier. Sometimes estimates committees sit late; sometimes it may be awkward to get a quorum of four, particularly because it is not a committee of the whole Assembly. If it is a committee of the whole Assembly, a quorum of four is probably very easy to get. With the committee being formed of six people and other members being able to attend at any given time, it probably makes sense to have a quorum of three, which will allow the committee to work. In my consultations around the Assembly, it seems that most people are comfortable with that. I foreshadow that I will move that amendment after this one has been dealt with.

Amendment agreed to.

MR MOORE (4.00), by leave: I move:

Paragraph (3), omit “Four”, substitute “Three”.

I will not repeat what I have said.

Amendment agreed to.

Motion, as amended, agreed to.

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