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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 6 Hansard (19 June) . . Page.. 1820 ..

MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Moore. First of all, let me say that the first I knew of this invitation was at some time between the orange juice and the bacon and eggs at breakfast this morning, which disappoints me greatly because this does raise some quite important issues for this Assembly and for the people who may come before us at some time. I notice that the news report appeared to have everything cut and dried - that it was, in fact, to be next Thursday and that various people were to attend and address the Assembly.

As members would be aware, next Thursday is the last day of meeting before the winter recess and we will, doubtless, be debating the budget; so I am not sure that that would necessarily be the most suitable time. In terms of the people who are invited, I am not aware, Mr Moore, of whether they are totally representative of all indigenous groups in the ACT. Again, that is a matter that I would like to have had the chance to be consulted about so that I, in turn, could consult with people. Questions relating to privilege and the standing orders are matters that I believe should be considered not by this Assembly as such but by your representatives, namely, the Administration and Procedure Committee, and I would hope that we could have the Administration and Procedure Committee examine this next Tuesday.

Mr Osborne did indicate that there may be a motion put later today or that I may be receiving a letter today which would allow me to forward the matter to the Administration and Procedure Committee. If a motion comes before the Assembly today I would hope, without pre-empting debate on any such motion, that the Assembly would consider referring any decision to the Administration and Procedure Committee. As you rightly point out, Mr Moore, a number of important issues have to be considered by this Assembly if we are to receive such people properly.

MR MOORE: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have a supplementary question, Mr Speaker, in two parts. The first part of the supplementary question is this: Were the orange juice and bacon and eggs because it is your birthday? Being quite keen to support such a motion myself, I am also very keen to make sure that it does achieve its goal. The second part of the supplementary question, Mr Speaker, is this: Will you be doing everything you can to ensure the success of such a process?

MR SPEAKER: The answer to the second part of your question is yes, I will do what I can to ensure that. The answer to your first part is no; it is standard procedure in our household.

MR WHITECROSS: Mr Speaker, my question without notice is to Mr Kaine in his capacity as the Minister for Urban Services. Minister, the recently tabled report "Review of ACTION Services" by Roger Graham and Associates states:

... it is suggested that the cause of the patronage decline in October and November last year was not only due to the employment decline but was also due to factors associated with service delivery standards.

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