Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .
Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 1 Hansard (17 February) . . Page.. 268 ..
MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):
Mr Speaker, again I direct my comments particularly to members of the crossbench. I understand that some members of present TOCs in the ACT have indicated that they would reconsider offering their names in future. I ask members again to consider this issue. It is not a hypothetical issue. Ms Tucker may be interested in this, but she is not listening.
Mr Wood: It is not very interesting; that is why. You had better come up with some names.
MR HUMPHRIES: Thank you for that, Mr Wood. I am not going to give particular names from the floor. These people have already contacted members of this chamber about these issues. Maybe they have not spoken to you, Mr Wood, but they have spoken to others in this chamber about this issue. I say to people here that some members of TOCs have already said they would reconsider putting their names forward next time an appointment has to be made if they have to pass through that process. I am not making it up. They have said that. That gives me great concern. It may not be a highly spectacular withdrawal. They may not have their name put forward in blazing lights and then say, "Sorry, I am changing my mind. I am taking my nomination back". We probably would not even know about it in most cases. But there may well be individuals who will come forward on occasions and say to the Government privately, "I would rather not have my name considered in these circumstances". I think it would be a great pity and a great tragedy if because of that possibility we were to lose individuals, particularly high-flying people with business experience from outside the ACT who may not be familiar with our processes here. I therefore ask members to be extremely careful about the contents of this legislation.
Debate (on motion by Mr Rugendyke) adjourned.
Motion (by Mr Humphries) agreed to:
That order of the day No. 2, private Members' business, relating to the Motor Traffic (Alcohol and Drugs) (Amendment) Bill 1998, be postponed until a later hour this day.
Debate resumed from 29 April 1998, on motion by Mr Osborne:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
MS TUCKER (5.52): The Greens will be supporting this Bill. It is a measure that is well overdue. A children's magistrate was recommended in December 1997 by the Social Policy Committee of the last Assembly in its inquiry into services for children at risk in the ACT. It is disappointing that the Government has not taken action on that recommendation and that a private member has had to do the Government's work.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .