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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 10 Hansard (26 November) . . Page.. 3088 ..

MR BERRY: Is the plaque still there? I thought somebody would have stolen it and melted it down for brass or something.

Mr Moore: I imagine it will go in the refurbishment, Mr Berry.

MR SPEAKER: I think we have gone far enough on this mutual admiration society. Let us get on with the business.

MR BERRY: The waiting lists now are higher than they were when I was there. When Mr Moore has achieved all of those things that I achieved I will be happy to give him a pat on the back.

MR QUINLAN (3.51): Mr Speaker, I move:

That so much of the standing and temporary orders be suspended as would prevent the order of the day No. 1, Assembly business, relating to the establishment of a Select Committee on the Territory's Superannuation Commitments being called on forthwith.

Mr Speaker, it is necessary to debate this particular topic and to decide on the establishment of this committee today because the Bill to set up and pave the way for the sale of ACTEW, which is the Government's preferred option for funding the superannuation liability, has been tabled today with the intent of its being decided at the next sitting of the Assembly. If we are to deal with this process thoroughly, it is necessary to set up this select committee today so that it is under way, and we understand that it is happening, before we reach debate on the sale of ACTEW, which is a motion foreshadowed by the Chief Minister today.

MR MOORE (Minister for Health and Community Care) (3.53): Mr Speaker, the Government has other business to consider. The Water Resources Bill has been tabled and there has been plenty of time to deal with it. It is on the program and we are expected to consider it. Had Mr Quinlan discussed this with us, we could have set a time when we were prepared to consider the matter. My understanding is that this is a debate that Mr Osborne moved this morning be adjourned to a later hour this day. Under those circumstances, I am quite comfortable about dealing with it, but I do not think it is appropriate to spring it in the middle of the program. Perhaps Mr Quinlan would be prepared to back off now and have this matter brought on later today. The Water Resources Bill is a landmark piece of legislation and has very broad ramifications. We really ought to proceed with that. If we can proceed with that water Bill now, it will give some time to negotiate what it is you want to do.

Mr Berry: Will you guarantee that we get this back?

Mr Quinlan: We are negotiating, are we?

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