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and assurance that ACTEW will get involved in providing energy services in the broader sense. Also, notwithstanding Mr Osborne's proposed amendments regarding pricing, there is no actual requirement in the Bills that the Government establish a body for independent pricing. Some may argue that this can be done later, but why not get it right at the beginning? This inquiry represents a very important debate in this Assembly. Many people in the community believe that we should have it too. We have written support for an inquiry - - -

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, I take a point of order. I reluctantly rise. I do not really wish to interrupt Ms Horodny when she is in full flight, but I think we have to deal with the issue of the suspension of standing orders before we get onto the substantive motion. I apologise for the interruption.

MR SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order. Initially, you must deal with the motion to suspend standing orders, Ms Horodny, before moving on to the substantive motion which I understand you have circulated.

MS HORODNY: That is exactly what I am doing right now. I am addressing that issue.

MR SPEAKER: Please continue.

MS HORODNY: Thank you. We have had written support for an inquiry from the ACT Council of Social Service, the Conservation Council of the South-East Region and Canberra, the Youth Affairs Network, the Tenants Union, the Belconnen Community Council, the Australian Conservation Foundation, Solar Solutions, Solahart Industries, the Sustainable Energy Industries Council of Australia and Advanced Control Technologies. The Trades and Labour Council has urged that corporatisation not take place until the enterprise bargaining agreement for corporatisation is finalised. Also, individual members of other residential associations, community councils, and churches and community groups have offered personal support, but have not been able to speak on behalf of their membership before a meeting.

In recent days a rumour has been going around that we want the corporatisation of ACTEW postponed because we want a political win. That is nonsense. We want a select committee because we believe that without one this Assembly will create an organisation that is unlikely to reach its full potential, that is unlikely to serve the people of Canberra, and that is most likely to let people down. The Greens want what is best for Canberrans. We cannot afford to cobble together amendments in a haphazard way or to say that it is too bad, because there is not even time to get all these amendments done. The Sydney Water Board was corporatised only after extensive community involvement in the process, and a consultative process has just begun for the corporatisation of electricity authorities in New South Wales. We have not had any consultation on this issue in the ACT. We ask the Assembly that we be given the opportunity to debate our proposal. We are amazed that the Liberals have dumped the democratic process to such an extent that they would not even grant leave.

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