Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 12 Hansard (13 November) . . Page.. 4073 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

explore a variety of approaches for increased training. The Long Service Leave (Building and Construction Industry) (Amendment) Bill 1997 will ensure that the Construction Industry Training Fund continues while an approach is developed that is acceptable to the industry and the community. The Government is confident that it can work cooperatively with the building and construction industry to develop a long-term strategy to improve training. I commend the Long Service Leave (Building and Construction Industry) (Amendment) Bill 1997 to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Mr Berry) adjourned.

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General) (11.23): Mr Speaker, I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent notice No. 1, private members business, relating to retail development and the Manuka car park, being called on forthwith.

Mr Speaker, I am aware that there will be some division of views about this matter; but I indicated to members yesterday, when I discussed with members the question of dealing with the issue of the Manuka car park, that, if it was not to be dealt with yesterday in the course of private members business, if it was the wish of the Assembly not to deal with it at that time, instead, the Government would bring it on after debate on Assembly business this morning.

I understand that it has been agreed that the orders of the day listed under Assembly business not be debated this morning; indeed, most of them are fairly redundant. Therefore, Mr Speaker, this is the next item of business, as I discussed with members yesterday. Some members now have a different view about this; but it is the Government's view that this should come on now, and I would suggest to the Assembly that this is an appropriate juncture at which to be debating an issue which is, after all, of fairly intense interest to the rest of the community.

MR BERRY (Leader of the Opposition) (11.24): It is a great pity, Mr Speaker, that, when Mr Humphries decided yesterday that this should be brought on today at this time, he did not tell anybody else. Of course, there has been no discussion with the Labor Party to confirm this time. It is merely a bit of fancy dancing by Mr Humphries to try to manipulate the agenda. It is to his discredit that he rushes it through. We will be opposing it; but we expect that it will go through.

MR CORBELL (11.25): Mr Speaker, it seems to me that the Government itself should be bringing on a motion in relation to the Manuka development, and the Minister should be bringing on that motion first, before we deal with the matter of which Ms Tucker gave notice yesterday. The Labor Party has a clear position, which we have stated this morning to Mr Humphries, Mr Moore and Ms Tucker, namely, that the Minister should be moving a motion in relation to the Manuka development first. That should occur

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .