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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 1 Hansard (28 April) . . Page.. 48 ..

MR BERRY (continuing):

I said earlier that I do not expect these changes to result in widespread corruption in the ACT or an immediate infringement of civil liberties, but in my view we need to be concerned about this step. This is what the inquiry report said on page 124:

Without information about Government activities and research staff to properly assess it, the opposition party or parties have no basis on which to review or criticise the activities. Without information, there can be no accountability. It follows that in an atmosphere of secrecy or inadequate information, corruption flourishes. Wherever secrecy exists, there will be people who are prepared to manipulate it.

I raise that, Mr Speaker, because that principle is very important in the scheme of things for scrutiny committees in the ACT Legislative Assembly. Under our system the committee secretariat has developed expertise in relation to the ongoing inquiries of the Public Accounts Committee, and it would be a shame to see that expertise watered down by the need to pursue more political objectives through the policy committees which are proposed by the Executive and Mr Osborne. It is necessary to ensure that that level of expertise is maintained in the committee secretariat through a Public Accounts Committee. That is why the Labor Party is proposing such a committee. A Public Accounts Committee was the subject of much discussion in Queensland, where pressure was brought to bear from within the coalition there to ensure that such a committee was established. The report also states:

A Public Accounts Committee was established in 1988, as was a Public Works Committee. The latter has the potential to prevent many of the problems arising from Cabinet's intrusion into the details of administrative decision making, and is to be commended.

The Public Accounts Committee has a long tradition of scrutiny of government, Executive and Public Service decisions in this country. Let me refer to a document from the Australian Council of Public Accounts Committees that talks about an ideal public accounts committee. I am quite happy to table the document, if that is the wish of members. The preamble states:

The Committee aims at all times to adopt a co-operative and non-partisan approach to its work.

The Committee endeavours to establish and maintain a constructive working relationship with government.

The Committee's objectives and powers should be enshrined in legislation.

The Committee will operate during the life of each Parliament, meeting when the House is in session, recessed or prorogued. The Committee ceases to exist when the Parliament is dissolved.

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