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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 12 Hansard (19 November) . . Page.. 3798 ..

MRS CARNELL: There is absolutely nothing in the report to indicate any major problems whatsoever. Mr Speaker, I believe that these financial management reforms place the ACT in a unique position of public sector accountability in Australia and will provide a sound foundation for scrutiny by this Assembly. The success to date of these reforms has recently - - -

Mr Berry: We will not be able to compare it next time because it will be nine months instead of 12.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Berry: It is all a big smoke and mirrors shonk.

MR SPEAKER: Order! If you want to talk, go outside and do so. Mrs Carnell has the floor.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, the success to date of these reforms has recently been recognised by the ACT Division of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants. The Office of Financial Management has been jointly recognised for its outstanding achievement in public sector accounting. Further, Mr Speaker, Mr Rex Hollier, also of the Office of Financial Management, was jointly awarded recognition as the Public Sector Accountant of the Year. Mr Speaker, I would like to personally congratulate the people who work in OFM and, for that matter, in Chief Ministers, and particularly Rex Hollier, for getting those awards. I think we all should be very proud that we have public servants working in the ACT who have achieved this sort of recognition in a very difficult area.

I think that runs at absolute odds with the approach that Mr Berry took earlier of attacking at least one public servant in this place who is not in a position to defend himself. Mr Speaker, I really find it extremely difficult to understand. I do not believe that there would be another parliament that would criticise a public servant for moving from a six-cylinder car to a four-cylinder car. You have to admit, Mr Speaker, that this is somewhat obtuse, to say the least. Apart from it being just personal vitriol, Mr Speaker - - -

Mr Berry: It was the $7,000.

Mr De Domenico: Let us have a look and see what happens on Thursday. Okay? We will see how many you approved. All right?

Mr Berry: Go for your life.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, nothing based upon any recommendations - - -

Mr De Domenico: If that is the game you want to play, we will see how many you approved.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Mrs Carnell has the floor.

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