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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 9 Hansard (23 November) . . Page.. 2339 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

I believe that there have been very few committee reports in this Assembly where the government of the day has taken up every single recommendation. Ms Follett made the comment that somehow it was dreadful that this Government had not picked up six - although we have now addressed another two, I think - of the 35 recommendations of the Estimates Committee report. Last year Ms Follett did not pick up seven of the recommendations on the 1994-95 Appropriation Bill.

Ms Follett: And the Assembly never moved that I should.

MRS CARNELL: Maybe because it is totally unacceptable for the Assembly to do that. The year before it was four. In two of those years the recommendations were the same with regard to the Health Promotion Fund, and that was a financial recommendation. The Estimates Committee unanimously, in my memory anyway, in both years suggested that the Health Promotion Fund should have 5 per cent of the tobacco franchise fee. If it is the responsibility of government, as those opposite say, to accept those recommendations because they were unanimous recommendations of the Estimates Committee, then surely a recommendation that is there two years in a row from an estimates committee should have been picked up. But what happened? No, it was knocked back two years in a row.

We believe that that is the prerogative of government. The Government has the responsibility for the budget and will be held accountable for that budget, and that is the reason we did not move any of these smart - I think smart arse is probably closest to the truth - motions that we have seen from those opposite. Yes, it is the role of this Assembly and the Estimates Committee to bring forward recommendations to the Government. Yes, it is up to the Estimates Committee to have a look at the figures that make up the basis of the budget.

Ms Follett: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I would ask you to rule on whether the description of motions which have been moved and passed in this place as smart-arse motions is parliamentary.

MRS CARNELL: I am happy to withdraw that. I am happy to insert "stupid".

MR SPEAKER: The Chief Minister has withdrawn the expression.

MRS CARNELL: And inserted "stupid".

Ms Follett: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I would ask whether that is a reflection on a vote in this place.

MRS CARNELL: The one you are putting today we have not voted on.

MR SPEAKER: No, I do not see it as a reflection on a vote taken in this place, though I do think the word itself again might be moderated a little more, Chief Minister.

MRS CARNELL: Okay, "irrelevant". That will do. I will settle for "irrelevant".

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