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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 8 Hansard (29 October) . . Page.. 2452 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

amendments which Mr Kaine has moved, which Ms Tucker has accepted and which the Labor Party, without actually necessarily accepting that this is the best model, is more than happy to support. I think this is a great example of how we can resolve issues to meet the concerns of members of the Assembly. I think there is no option.

Mr Humphries: Except the Government's concerns, of course.

MR STANHOPE: Your concern was that you were going to have a member of your own and a member of the Labor Party on the committee. That objection has now been removed. We have moved to meet the very concerns of the Government and of Mr Osborne. We are allowing Mr Osborne, Mr Rugendyke and Mr Kaine freedom to inquire in whatever way they wish, to go down whatever paths they wish, and to take whatever evidence they wish to take on this issue. We have put it in their hands. They may gather the evidence that they require, not only on their own behalf but also on behalf of the rest of us. Most importantly, they might meet the legitimate right and expectation of the people of Canberra to participate in this process.

It is important to add a rider to that. We must not forget that this Government did not go to the election with a promise to do this. There is no mandate to take this action. It is doubly necessary, therefore, acknowledging that the Government is determined to go down this path, that this Assembly must give the people of Canberra a right to participate in this decision. I include, of course, the rights of the more than 1,000 people whose livelihoods and quality of life depend on their employment with ACTEW. We must respect the rights of those workers, along with the entire people of Canberra, to a say in this decision.

Question put:

That the amendments (Mr Kaine's), as amended, be agreed to.

The Assembly voted -

AYES, 7		 NOES, 8

Mr Corbell	Mr Cornwell
Mr Hargreaves	Mr Hird
Mr Kaine	Mr Humphries
Mr Quinlan	Mr Moore
Mr Stanhope	Mr Osborne
Ms Tucker	Mr Rugendyke
Mr Wood		Mr Smyth
		Mr Stefaniak

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