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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 12 Hansard (13 November) . . Page.. 4058 ..

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (PRIVILEGES) BILL 1997

MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister) (10.34): I present the Legislative Assembly (Privileges) Bill 1997, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MRS CARNELL: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

Mr Speaker, I ask for leave of the Assembly to incorporate my presentation speech in Hansard.

Leave not granted.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, the reason I asked for it to be incorporated in Hansard is that this is a Bill that has been through the Administration and Procedure Committee. It has been seen by lots of people. I understood that that would be all right. But that is fine; it is not a problem.

Mr Whitecross: Not if you do not ask in advance.

MRS CARNELL: We did, this morning.

Mr Whitecross: At 10.29 am. That is not in advance.

MRS CARNELL: It does not make any difference to us. It is not a problem.

Mr Whitecross: Just read it and stop making excuses.

MR SPEAKER: Would you stop interrupting, Mr Whitecross.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, this Bill deals with the non-legislative powers, privileges and immunities for the ACT Legislative Assembly. The Bill was triggered by the concern of members about the need to define the Assembly precincts. The Assembly referred this issue to the Standing Committee on Administration and Procedure in 1996. This followed disturbances earlier in the year and the resulting concern about the application of standing order 207 to disruptions in the gallery. The committee recommended legislation defining the precincts. The Government agreed. This would clarify the role of the Speaker in managing the precincts. It would also ensure legal protection for staff acting under direction of the Speaker to clear the gallery or the building. The Government has also considered wider privileges legislation. I know that members have been interested in this particular issue for some time. This Bill will provide a sound base to the Assembly's discussion of this question.

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