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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 1 Hansard (20 February) . . Page.. 79 ..

MR MOORE (4.58): Mr Speaker, I think it is Mr De Domenico's situation that has raised this issue. It is the catalyst for this reference to the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs. I have a different view from Ms Follett on this, in that the standing committee ought not look at the funding of Mr De Domenico's situation. It may well be that the outcome is exactly as Ms Follett has presented it. It is my understanding that she is likely to be a member of that committee and will have the opportunity to put the position she just put very strongly. Mr Speaker, it is my view that the committee should be able to consider the full range of issues. Ms Follett said basically that there has been effectively, right throughout parliaments, an unwritten process on how we should go. She then went on to say that getting it in writing is a worthy exercise.

I think it is worth while drawing to members' attention a particular concern of one member of the Northern Territory Parliament. A Labor member of the Northern Territory Parliament made a statement in the media which was construed as defamatory, and a Minister was then funded to take a defamation action against a member of the Opposition who was not funded. I think that that raises much more serious questions than the ones that we are dealing with now. I would hope that such issues would be determined by this Assembly before they arise in this parliament. No doubt, at some time in the next 10 or 15 years, that sort of situation is likely to arise.

It is my view that the committee should have as broad a reference as possible, and they can include Mr De Domenico's situation if they so wish. It is open to the committee. The motion Mr Humphries put up is:

That the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs inquire into and report by 30 June 1996 on the development of guidelines for the provision of assistance to Members in relation to legal proceedings.

It does not require that the committee look into that particular issue, although I would think it would be quite appropriate.

Debate interrupted.

MR SPEAKER: Order! It being 5.00 pm, I propose the question:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

Mr Humphries: I require the question to be put forthwith without debate.

Question resolved in the negative.

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