Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 11 Hansard (8 December) . . Page.. 3294 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

for not proceeding with some aspects of the legislation, but at the end of the day we have to reform this system or resign ourselves to escalating payouts, in some cases in extremely dubious circumstances, when the responsibility we all have to the taxpayers of this Territory to reduce that operating loss is a serious concern. I hate to keep coming back to the operating loss. I know it is very awkward and a bit of a nuisance to keep claiming it as an important factor, but it is an important factor in the way in which we run the Territory. We, like every other jurisdiction in Australia, are trying to face up to the problems with the present scheme and reduce outlays on it. I would urge the Assembly not to stand in the way of reform, particularly given that the Opposition itself tried to reform this scheme before the 1995 election and would, no doubt, have been proceeding with reform of some sort had it been returned to office at that election.

MR RUGENDYKE (9.38): I rise briefly to support the motion to have the Justice and Community Safety Committee look at these amendments to the legislation. I have heard concerns expressed in some areas that I believe should have an airing. The people from VOCAL see some problems with the CIC legislation. Also, my ex-colleagues, the Australian Federal Police, have expressed concerns that they may be disadvantaged by these amendments. I believe that they should have the opportunity to be heard and I believe that this is an appropriate way for that to happen. So, I support the motion.

MR STANHOPE (Leader of the Opposition) (9.40), in reply: I think the case for reference to the committee has been made. I take some of the points that the Minister has made and do not dismiss them, but I think that, on balance, this issue should be given the benefit of review by a committee.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

MILK AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) BILL (NO. 2) 1998

Debate resumed from 24 November 1998, on motion by Mr Smyth:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

MR RUGENDYKE (9.41): Mr Deputy Speaker, I move:

That the debate be adjourned and the resumption of the debate be made the first order of the day for Thursday, 10 December 1998.

MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Let us break that up. The question is: That the debate be adjourned. We will do that first.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question now is: That the resumption of the debate be made the first order of the day for Thursday, 10 December 1998.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .