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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 8 Hansard (26 August) . . Page.. 2398 ..

Mr Humphries: Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I think, with respect, that Ms Horodny is debating the issue of whether or not it is desirable to move away from the leasehold system or 99-year leases. That is a very important debate to have at some point. But the motion before the house today is not whether that kind of leasehold is better or worse than the alternative; the issue before the house today is whether I, as Minister for Planning, should be without the confidence of the house because of my management of the potential extension of the tenure of leases. The issue of whether it is a good thing or a bad thing is quite irrelevant to that. The question is how I have handled the issue. That is the issue.

MR SPEAKER: I have to uphold the point of order, Ms Horodny.

MS HORODNY: Mr Speaker, if Mr Humphries cares to wait, I will get to that point; and it is important that I am allowed to say what I need to say on this issue.

MR SPEAKER: Quickly, of course, Ms Horodny. Getting to the point quickly, I mean.

MS HORODNY: The objectives for land tenure, which were commonly agreed - such as the desire for more certainty, less complexity, more security, more efficiency, less expense and more transparency and accountability - do not depend on a particular form of land tenure. Stein said that the argument is not merely about which is the better form of tenure because the ACT already has a well-entrenched system of public leasehold - - -

Mrs Carnell: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: You have just upheld a point of order - - -

MR SPEAKER: I have.

Mrs Carnell: And Ms Horodny is continuing down the same path.

Mr Corbell: On the point of order, Mr Speaker: Ms Horodny is perfectly entitled to outline the rationale behind the reasons why she would vote in a certain way, and I think you should allow her that opportunity.

MR SPEAKER: No. I must uphold Mrs Carnell's point of order. I understand that you are setting the scene, but I do ask you to come to it speedily, Ms Horodny. We are not debating the merits or demerits of a possible change to 999-year leases; we are discussing a very clear motion of want of confidence in the Minister for Land and Planning.

MS HORODNY: Mr Speaker, it is very important that I do get the background across because I am arguing what the no-confidence motion is about and I am arguing why I have put forward the amendment that I have put forward.

MR SPEAKER: You have not put any amendment forward yet, Ms Horodny.

MS HORODNY: Well, I will be putting forward an amendment.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you.

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