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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 8 Hansard (27 June) . . Page.. 2225 ..

Ms Follett: Why do you not just join the Citizens Electoral Council and be done with it? This is their platform.

MR HUMPHRIES: You people used to support it, too, remember.

Ms Follett: This is their platform.

MR HUMPHRIES: It was yours, too. Yes, it was. Look at your own platform.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Humphries, proceed.

MR HUMPHRIES: Under the Bill the sponsors of a proposal need the support of 1,000 electors to have the proposal registered. Then they have six months to get the support of more than 5 per cent of electors, or around 10,000 electors. If successful, legislation - - -

Mr Moore: Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. We voted on this piece of legislation. Standing order 52 says:

A Member may not reflect upon any vote of the Assembly, except upon a motion that such vote be rescinded.

I believe you have ruled on this, although the last time I took a point of order you said, "Continue, Mr Humphries". I am not quite sure which way you were ruling.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I am reciting the provisions of the Bill. I am not reflecting on anything at the moment.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Humphries is outlining the provisions of the Bill, Mr Moore. I will watch, as I am sure you will, that he does not transgress again; but I do believe that Mr Humphries is well aware of the previous vote of this Assembly.

Mr Moore: Mr Speaker, we are also aware of the duplicity of Mr Humphries in putting this at the same time as he ignores the petition of 40,000 people presented to the Assembly.

MR SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. Sit down. Mr Humphries, continue, please.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I welcome the chance for issues this Government puts forward to be put to the people directly. If a proposal has the support of more than 5 per cent of electors, or around 10,000 electors, legislation to put the proposal into effect is drafted and presented to the Assembly. The Assembly may pass the proposed law or refer it to a referendum. If the Assembly does nothing, the proposed law goes to a referendum automatically. Provided that four months has elapsed, a referendum is held in conjunction with the next general election of the Assembly. If a proposal receives the support of 10 per cent of electors, or around 20,000 electors, and the proposed law is tabled prior to 31 October in the first two years of the three-year life of an Assembly,

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