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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 9 Hansard (4 September) . . Page.. 2890 ..

MR KAINE (continuing):

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1994 provides scope to investigate wrongdoing in the ACT public sector. The PIDA has a wide ambit to capture the full range of ACT public sector bodies and statutory appointees. There is a possibility that the alleged malpractice within committees and panels examining matters with little or nothing to do with the ACT could be addressed through the PIDA. This would be a very odd outcome. I should comment that ACTEW Corporation's activities are covered by the Public Interest Disclosure Act. The electricity market legislation will not make any changes to this coverage.

As I have noted, the Bill does not reduce accountability. It ensures that the nationally uniform, consistent and clear accountability framework established under the national market arrangements can work effectively. NEMMCO and NECA are accountable to market participants and other interested parties through extensive consultation requirements. The code provides a clear regime as to availability of information. The code provides that important decisions are reviewable. I have noted with interest that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, in its draft determination on the national code, has proposed that any resultant decision will be reviewable if proper consultation is not followed.

In addition, processes of judicial review of decisions of the companies are always available. As I have noted, a National Electricity Tribunal is established under the market arrangements. NEMMCO and NECA are also accountable to governments, their constituent members. It should not be forgotten that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is the electricity market regulator - a very effective final watchdog, in my view. Mr Speaker, I commend the Bill to the house.

Debate (on motion by Mr Whitecross) adjourned.

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General): Mr Speaker, on Tuesday of this week I described Mr Berry as a harlot - - -

Mr Berry: You got caught out, did you?

MR HUMPHRIES: In fact, I did not get caught out, because I was not asked to withdraw the word.

Mr Berry: I am just about to have it ruled on.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, if Mr Berry does not want me to deal with this, I am very happy to sit down. I am aware that this term has somewhat wounded Mr Berry. Certainly, I am aware that the term is not one which we would normally use in this chamber. However, I indicate that I have no desire to leave the matter on the record, and I withdraw the term "harlot" in respect of Mr Berry.

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