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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (25 June) . . Page.. 2056 ..

MR WHITECROSS (continuing):

Mr Speaker, as I said, I do not know that it is something that the public will be hanging out for. Nevertheless, it does, I believe - and I believe quite sincerely, notwithstanding some of the, I am sure, light-hearted remarks by the Chief Minister - enhance the standing of the Assembly for the Assembly to be promoting itself in this way. I do not believe it diminishes this place; I think it enhances our reputation because it shows the work of the Assembly. The matters that get reported on by the electronic media are important matters. The ability to bring to life, if you like, the work of the Assembly, I think, is something which can only enhance the standing of the Assembly. Of course, the bringing to life of the proceedings of the Assembly also puts obligations on members of the Assembly to be conscious of that fact and the fact that what they do may be the subject of a rebroadcast. That is something which I think is not an inappropriate discipline for members of the Assembly.

I will just say, in conclusion, that I believe the process which has led to this Bill has been a good one; it has been a good model of how the Assembly works. This is an issue which has been debated in the corridors of the Assembly for some time. Mr Moore has brought the matter forward by introducing legislation into the parliament. It was then the subject of an Assembly committee process, which allowed the different groups in the Assembly to have input into the final structure of the Bill; addressed the matters of privilege which I think needed to be addressed in Mr Moore's original Bill; and led to a committee report and to Mr Moore introducing the revised version of the Bill which, I think, has picked up the recommendations of the committee. I am sure not all members would necessarily think that all the recommendations of the committee had gone far enough in relation to broadcasting. Nevertheless, they take us forward in relation to this matter. I think Mr Moore is to be commended for his role in this process. I also believe it is a model of how the Assembly committee process can work to improve legislation. I think the whole process is one of which we, as an Assembly, should be proud.

With those remarks, I do commend the legislation. I am pleased to be supporting it; I am pleased to be here to vote on it because I think it is good legislation. I look forward to seeing the determinations made under proposed sections 7 and 8 which will give effect to the legislation in due course.

MS TUCKER (11.47): The Greens also welcome this Bill. We are obviously supportive of what has been said here this morning. I believe it is a way of showing the community the work that occurs here. I think it will bring more accountability into our work, as Mr Whitecross pointed out. I think members would be aware of the repercussions, let us say, if unseemly behaviour is evident and seen by the community. I think that is an advantage, as well as the fact that quite often our work is very separate from the life of the community, although I must say that I think the local media do take a great deal of interest in what happens in this place, as they should. There is already a lot of coverage, if you like, of what happens here. But I think bringing it to life more is a really good thing, and I am very happy to support this legislation.

MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister) (11.48): Mr Speaker, as you have already heard, the Government supports the need for legislation to facilitate the broadcasting of proceedings of the Legislative Assembly. This move does resolve some very long, outstanding legal questions and is consistent with the Government's commitment to greater accountability and keeping the community informed of what is happening

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