Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

None . . Page.. 969 ..

Wednesday, 21 June 1995

_______________________

MR SPEAKER (Mr Cornwell) took the chair at 10.30 am and asked members to stand in silence and pray or reflect on their responsibilities to the people of the Australian Capital Territory.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE TO MEMBER

Motion (by Ms Follett) agreed to:

That leave of absence be granted to Mr Osborne for today, 21 June 1995.

OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1995

MS FOLLETT (Leader of the Opposition) (10.32): Mr Speaker, I present the Oaths and Affirmations (Amendment) Bill 1995.

Title read by Clerk.

MS FOLLETT: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

This Bill seeks to amend the oath or affirmation that is taken by members of the Legislative Assembly before we take our seats. The amendment seeks to remove from the oath or affirmation reference to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors and to make it clear that as MLAs we will serve the people of the Australian Capital Territory.

On the technical issue of whether such a change requires amendment to the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act and, hence, would need to be made by the Federal Parliament, I can advise that my Bill has been prepared by the Parliamentary Counsel's Office. I presume that it believes that this is the most effective way of achieving my purpose. Furthermore, the self-government Act states in the section which deals with the oath or affirmation of allegiance:

This section has effect subject to any enactment.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .