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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 14 Hansard (10 December) . . Page.. 4655 ..

MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister) (5.43), in reply: I thank members for their support for this piece of legislation. One of the things that it is important to realise is that this legislation has come about, to a large extent, because the last time it was put to the Assembly we moved a sunset clause to the Bill. We believed that we needed to look at the issue in the fullness of time. It would appear that it does need to be extended, for all the reasons that have been mentioned.

The comments made by both Ms Tucker and Mr Moore about competition between States are very true. That is the reason why the Industry Commission - I think it is the Industry Commission - is doing a full report on that at the moment. It is also an issue that has been brought up in the context of COAG. The real problem at the moment from a whole-of-nation perspective is that there is one State that is unwilling to be part of any relook and a couple of States that are sitting on the fence. Of course, unfortunately, unless everybody is in it, nobody can be in it. That is really causing a problem at the moment.

The ACT Government has put a quite fulsome submission to the inquiry. If any members are interested in seeing the ACT Government submission, I am very happy to show it to them. Our submission was, to some extent, along the lines of that of New South Wales. We both believe strongly that the approach that is currently happening, with all States undermining each other, is a hiding to nothing; that in the end it can only cause damage, particularly to the smaller States. This is certainly something that we will continue to push. It is certainly an unusual thing for the Industry Commission to look at, but we are very pleased that they are doing so. The real problem, as I understand it at the moment, is that it does not have the support of all States. Again, I am happy that there is support for this Bill this afternoon.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.

Bill agreed to.

Motion (by Mr Humphries) agreed to:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

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