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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 14 Hansard (11 December) . . Page.. 4682 ..

MR MOORE (continuing):

Mr Speaker, I think that is a very good reason for us to put this into the standing orders rather than keep it as a temporary order. I have discussed this with Ms Tucker, who is quite accepting of making it a permanent standing order. I recognise that she probably felt that this was an opportunity to take the process she has been using that little step further. If my amendment gets up, then I think we will have achieved the overall goal that you would have been aiming at in the long term. This is a very effective method of ensuring that this Assembly operates as an Assembly rather than either a rubber stamp or a veto for government. I certainly think that is how we are growing as an Assembly. In the initial instance there was an approach taken where we would have tended to accept what government was doing and then work around that. We are seeing more and more initiatives coming from other members to change policy, to implement what we believe to be a healthier society.

Just as an aside, Mr Speaker, if the same approach had been taken by the Chief Minister in preparing what was intended to be a strategic plan, we would probably have a much better outcome. Therefore, I move:

Omit all words after "28 August 1996" and substitute "be amended by adopting the following new standing orders 77(a) and 77(d):

(a) on sitting Wednesdays private Members' business shall have precedence of Executive business; and

(d) when there is no question before the Chair during private Members' business and at any time during the consideration of Assembly business any Member may move that Executive business be called on and such motion shall be put forthwith without amendment or debate".

What we have here, I think, is a very sensible approach which says quite clearly, "Yes, private members business is there; but, if there is a genuine need that the Executive can demonstrate to deal with their business, then all they have to do is convince the Assembly". I commend to the Assembly the original motion and the amendment to the motion.

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General) (12.03): Mr Speaker, all I have to say is that we do not support the principle, as I have said before; but, if there is going to be a change, it should be a change for all governments, not just for the present Government. We, therefore, support the amendment.

MR WHITECROSS (Leader of the Opposition) (12.04): Mr Speaker, the Labor Party are more than happy to accept Mr Moore's amendment. We were happy, of course, to support the proposition put by Ms Tucker, but on the invitation of the Government we are happy to make the temporary order a permanent order. There has been something of a tradition - and, I must say, a slightly curious tradition, in my view - that, whenever we change the standing orders, we do it as a temporary order rather than as a permanent standing order. I have never quite understood why that has been the way it has been done, but I have never particularly queried it. The Government wish to make this a permanent order, and that is no problem for us.

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