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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 11 Hansard (6 November) . . Page.. 3743 ..

MR BERRY (continuing):

Commonwealth, then represented by Prime Minister Keating. Mr Speaker, there is no explanation for why we are facing the second group of payments in relation to that agreement now instead of in 1999-2000, as was set out in the attachment to the agreement signed by our own Chief Minister and all of the other States.

This morning, a briefing was arranged between officers and members of the Assembly to explain some of the problems which are concerning members in relation to this matter. This morning, we learnt for the first time that an important date was 29 March 1998. It did not take much effort to work out that, if that was the deadline, it would be impossible for a new government to properly consider the issue and properly consult with the community about the issue before the deadline date which has been set. Mr Speaker, it is clear that the Government timed the introduction of this legislation to limit the availability of consultation and consideration of the very important issues that will affect the community in the Australian Capital Territory. Bear in mind, Mr Speaker, that most members have been occupied with the Estimates Committee process and that there has clearly been insufficient time to consider this issue adequately and to provide adequate consultation with the community. The Government stands condemned for what is, clearly, a contrived arrangement to avoid scrutiny of the legislation. It is legislation that would concern many people out there in the community.

Another matter I want to refer to, Mr Speaker, can be found in the National Electricity Code Administrator's report of 1996-97. In the chairman's report, under the heading "Conclusion", it says:

As we move from a government-owned State-based system to a privately-owned competitive national market, it is clear that market signals must be given time to work.

We see some of the conservative rhetoric also in the chairman's report, where "a full national market competing on a level playing field" is a term which is used. These are the terms used by the rationalists, which concern me but which do not surprise me, in the context of the hasty moves which have been made by the Carnell Liberal Government - and secret moves in many ways. Labor feels trapped by this approach and unable to ensure that the Government opposite does what it promised to do; that is, to be open and consultative. It clearly has not been open and consultative in relation to the development of this legislation. It has not provided time for the community to consider the matter adequately. Indeed, up until this point, it has been quite secretive about much of the information which surrounds the legislation.

Mr Speaker, the approach that has been taken in relation to these matters has been entirely unsatisfactory. The Government has not mentioned this deadline up until this point. I must say that I was quite surprised this morning to find that the end of March was going to be the deadline, because, in all conscience, I would have required that further debate in the community should occur in relation to this matter, if for no other reason than to inform the community of what their Government was about to let them in for.

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