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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 7 Hansard (24 September) . . Page.. 2216 ..
MR MOORE (continuing):
In response to Mr Wood, yes, I will concentrate on my portfolio and make sure that I deal with health; but if I decide to use an extra 10 hours a week - I have not put that much time into it - on top of the hours that I already spend, then I think that is my prerogative. If I believe that that will assist the community in its broad health aspects, then that is what I will proceed to do. I am sure that will not surprise you.
MR CORBELL (4.59): I am pleased to see from the Government's proposition that they will now not be eating into the time of private members business for Bills proposed by a member of the Executive if not approved by the Cabinet. This is a pleasing change of heart. Initially Mr Moore was quite insistent that his business as a private member effectively, even though he is a member of the Executive and a member of this Liberal Government - - -
Debate interrupted.
MR SPEAKER: Order! It being 5.00 pm, I propose the question:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Mr Humphries: I require the question to be put forthwith without debate.
Question resolved in the negative.
Amendments
Debate resumed.
MR CORBELL: Even though Mr Moore was quite insistent at that stage, I am pleased to see he has had that change of heart. The Labor Party's view has always been that if Mr Moore wants to pursue his business in his coalition arrangement with Mrs Carnell's Government he should do so in Executive business time. That is the arrangement that the Government and Mr Moore are now proposing. It is a proposition we are willing to accept because we believe that is an appropriate distinction between the activities of non-Executive members and Executive members in this place. It is pleasing to see it.
I can only reiterate the comments made by my colleague Mr Wood in that we hope that Mr Moore will not become so driven by his agenda as an Executive member you have when you are not having an Executive member, or perhaps a private member you have when you are not having a private member, that his portfolio responsibilities will suffer. We will test that in the Assembly over the next period of time of this Assembly and we will see how these new arrangements work.
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