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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 8 Hansard (29 October) . . Page.. 2504 ..

MR QUINLAN (continuing):

It would seem to be extremely pre-emptive on the part of the Chief Minister and the Government to wish to push ahead with putting this commission in place purely because - no other reason is given - it is anxious not to have term appointments for the Casino Surveillance Authority. That is nonsense. There is no reason why there cannot be term appointments. I am sure that the people involved would happily continue what they are doing now for an interim period, possibly with a view to some of them remaining involved in the control and regulation of racing and gaming anyway. I do not see the sense of this, other than ignoring the work of this committee and saying, "It does not matter what they are doing anyway. We know what we want to do. So, we will just go ahead and do it". I must fully endorse what Mr Kaine has said and will be looking forward to resisting any premature attempt to put a racing and gaming commission in place.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

MS TUCKER: I ask for leave to make a statement relating to a new inquiry to be undertaken by the Standing Committee on Education.

Leave granted.

MS TUCKER: I wish to inform the Assembly that on 9 October 1998 the Standing Committee on Education resolved to inquire into and report on the work for the dole project planned for primary schools, with particular reference to the processes adopted to consult with key stakeholders who would be involved in or have an interest in the project; the selection of participants; the adequacy of the training component of the project; the adequacy of the support for the young people and staff involved in the project; and any other related matter.

Debate resumed from 27 October 1998, on motion by Mr Humphries:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

MR STANHOPE (Leader of the Opposition) (5.30): Mr Speaker, the Labor Party is quite happy to support this Bill. It is an important piece of legislation. I understand the intention behind it, but I do not understand the reason for the delay in introducing this Bill to cover the hiatus from the term of the previous Act allowing for closed-circuit television evidence. I think it is an important piece of legislation. I would like to see it continued as a trial. I am very keen for the assessment of the use of closed-circuit television to be undertaken when those concerned with the issue believe that there is a sufficient body of evidence on which to undertake a qualitative assessment of its worth. It seems to me intuitively that it is an experiment worth persisting with. Frankly, I would be surprised that any other result could be achieved.

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