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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 3 Hansard (10 April) . . Page.. 890 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

As members will recall, the commissioner was originally given six months, expiring on 16 March 1997, to complete the investigation. The reopening of public submissions obviously impacted on the commissioner's ability to complete the report in this time. In addition, the commissioner advised me that the investigation was delayed by the complexity of the task of preparing a database on chemical use by, or on behalf of, ACT agencies. In this context the commissioner wrote to me asking for an extension of time for a further three months, to 16 June 1997, in which to complete his report. Under subsection 27(1) of the Interpretation Act 1967, I agreed to the commissioner's request and wrote to him in these terms.

I table, for the information of members, a copy of the letter from the commissioner dated 14 February 1997, and a copy of my reply dated 4 March 1997. The Government looks forward to receiving a high-quality report from the commissioner by 16 June this year.

Mr Berry: As always.

MR HUMPHRIES: As always. I move:

That the Assembly takes note of the papers.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Motion (by Mr Berry) agreed to, with the concurrence of an absolute majority:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent order of the day No. 29, private Members' business, relating to the Legislative Assembly (Members' Staff) (Amendment) Bill 1997, being called on forthwith.

Debate resumed from 8 April 1997, on motion by Mr Whitecross:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister) (3.36): Mr Speaker, the Government has not had terribly much time to have a look at this Bill, I have to say.

Mr Berry: It is only seven lines.

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