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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 1 Hansard (18 February) . . Page.. 297 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

(4) support and programs available for young people at risk of not developing adequate literacy and numeracy skills;

(5) attendance and truancy;

(6) gaps in services;

(7) the impact of common youth allowance on young people and educational institutions; and

(8) any other related matter.

MR MOORE (Minister for Health and Community Care): I present the Executive members business program for Michael Moore, MLA, and I ask for leave to make a very brief statement.

Leave granted.

MR MOORE: As members are aware, my participation in the Carnell Government is on the basis that my colleagues accept the independent views I represent and allow me the freedom to work independently and to take a different position from the Government on certain issues central to my beliefs, including promises made during the last election. In August last year I presented to the Assembly a private members business program outlining a range of such independent matters and providing a Bills program for the following 18 months. Since that time we have amended our standing orders to provide for Executive members business in which I will henceforth deal with my independent business.

I am therefore pleased to present an updated program of business, providing an outline of my intentions for the next 18 months. As with my first program, it is my expectation that by presenting this program I will assist members, the public and public servants, particularly in the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, to know well in advance what business I aim to bring forward. Unfortunately, Mr Speaker, there are a few words missing from the statement that I have tabled. I am sure we will be able to manage. I am disappointed that I have not been able to do as much as I wanted because I have had to devote so much more time to my executive duties. I do not regret the extent to which I am working to improve the health system in this Territory, but I must admit that balancing the executive and independent sides of my Assembly duties has been more difficult than I expected.

There is no small irony here. Members will be aware that from time to time I have been accused of neglecting my executive duties by pursuing a great abundance of private members business. In fact, the calls on my time last year were limited to the presentation of two relatively short Bills, the Litter (Amendment) Bill 1998 and the Director of Public

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