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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 8 Hansard (29 October) . . Page.. 2474 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

The Assembly has played an important role in improving the capital works arrangements over recent years. Further reforms are being planned for 1998-99. These focus on improving program formulation and accountability as well as program performance and reporting. The listing of indicative proposals provided to the committee this year will form the starting point for the development of future years' programs. The starting point will no longer be zero based. The outyear proposals will also be further developed. A reserve of key projects will be available to be substituted into the current year's program where existing projects are unable to proceed.

The business case guidelines are to be strengthened to include a more systematic approach for environmental assessment. This again will be developed from the principles outlined in the asset management strategy. All projects over $250,000 will be required to be accompanied by a detailed project implementation plan. Reporting on the program both within the Government and to the Assembly will be enhanced. This will allow individual projects to be more easily tracked through to their completion. Construction and contractual arrangements will be reviewed during the year. Mechanisms will be incorporated to address time delays and cost overruns. These and other reforms will provide greater scrutiny and openness across the program. The size of the program, $90m per year approximately, justifies a higher level of accountability to the Assembly and the community.

Capital works is one area where significant progress and improvements have been achieved. This has been achieved only through the assistance and cooperation of the Assembly. Mr Speaker, the Government hopes that we can continue these improvements into the future.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

MR HUMPHRIES (Acting Chief Minister, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Community Safety and Minister Assisting the Treasurer): Mr Speaker, for the information of members, I present agency regulatory plans for 1998-99.

MR HUMPHRIES (Acting Chief Minister, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Community Safety and Minister Assisting the Treasurer) (3.42): Mr Speaker, for the information of members and pursuant to subsection 10(3) of the Gungahlin Development Authority Act 1996, I present a statement of the particulars and reasons for the Palmerston 4 joint venture and move:

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

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