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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 3 Hansard (9 April) . . Page.. 793 ..

MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (3.48): Mr Speaker, for the information of members, I present the Government's response to Report No. 26 of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment entitled "The Government's 1997-98 Draft Capital Works Program", which was presented to the Assembly on 27 February 1997, and I move:

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

I wish to thank the committee for its work and cooperation in considering the draft program in what was a tight timeframe available prior to this year's budget. The recommendations are positive and confirm the changes implemented by the Government over the past two years. The role of the committee in these changes and improvements is also acknowledged and appreciated. It is good to see that, as an Assembly, we are ahead of other jurisdictions in having the Government's draft capital works program forwarded for public scrutiny prior to consideration in the annual budget.

I am pleased to advise that all of the committee's recommendations are to be taken up by the Government. Many of the recommendations relate to access by, and consultation with, the community. This is a priority for the Government, particularly in relation to our customer commitment charter. The recommendation for placing the draft program on the Internet and Austouch terminals is sensible and progressive and recognises the age we live in. Future draft capital works programs will also give greater detail of community consultation processes associated with the proposals. This will include the groups consulted and dates of major meetings.

The committee made reference to monitoring the extent to which key planning and management functions are passed to the private sector. I wish to assure the committee and the Assembly that appropriate professional advice and skills will be retained in agencies as well as being available to agencies from external experts in Totalcare and the private sector. The committee also recommended that the Government pursue the construction of major roadworks in the region for which Commonwealth funds have been earmarked. The Government takes every opportunity with the Commonwealth to ensure that access to these tenders is available to our local suppliers and contractors. I am sure the Assembly endorses and supports this priority.

Finally, Mr Speaker, the committee's report noted a number of areas where further information and briefings are to be provided by agencies. I have asked Ministers to ensure that all outstanding issues are followed up and every assistance is provided to the committee. In closing, I again thank the committee for its positive report. I commend the Government's response to the Assembly. I think this process has shown what can be achieved if the Assembly works cooperatively rather than adversarially.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

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