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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 1 Hansard (22 February) . . Page.. 285 ..
This Program, I believe, is outcome driven rather than being an unwielding and unresponsive document, reflecting imposed timeframes.
For example, Category One will no longer include a lot of technical proposals simply because they are ready.
Mr Speaker, members are aware that in order to accommodate emerging issues, legislative proposals may also be added to the Program through the course of this sitting period.
Similarly, the categorisation of initiatives presently listed on the Program may be subject to change.
Turning now to the direction of the Autumn Legislation Program, Mr Speaker, the Autumn sittings will have a distinct financial flavour.
This will begin with the introduction of the legislation that sets up the Government's Financial Management Framework, and concluding with the tabling of the 1996/97 Budget.
The package of legislation will include the Financial Management Act 1996 which will replace the Audit Act 1989 and will introduce the Government's Financial Management Reforms; and the Auditor General Act 1996.
Mr Speaker, this legislation underpins the Government's reform agenda.
I tabled the proposed legislation on 14 December 1995 in line with this Government's commitment to broad and effective consultation with the Assembly and the wider community.
The proposals promote greater transparency in budget decision-making at all levels - the Assembly, the Executive and the Public Service.
The legislation recognises the primacy of the Assembly's role in the parliamentary budget process and enables enhanced and better focused accountability to the assembly and to the Canberra community.
Mr Speaker, these reforms will improve the quality of public sector management and accountability.
The Government intends to introduce this legislation as early as possible in the Autumn sittings.
Apart from these financial reforms, Category One reflects key structural reforms central to the Government's reform agenda.
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