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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 8 Hansard (26 August) . . Page.. 2552 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

Mr Quinlan did not mention it today, but he has said that one of the accountability mechanisms, if you like, for appointment to this commission is the fact that it would go through an Assembly committee. I would have to express concerns about how useful that is because whenever I have asked a quite polite question about who else was asked when a CV has not looked so amazing or how a position was publicised I have been abused roundly by government for daring to challenge an appointment in any way. In fact, I was accused of slandering the person concerned and told that no-one in their right mind would want to go on a board because people like me dare to ask questions. Obviously, it is not something that one is supposed to do here - in the eyes of this Government, anyway. Mr Quinlan may feel more comfortable about this matter because it is going to go through a committee, but I do not think that that will hold a lot of weight.

I have said, of course, that there is a strong desire in the community to have a regulatory authority in which they can have confidence. The make-up of the commission is very important to community confidence. That is why I have been representing what came to the committee. I am not quite sure whether that was put strongly to the Productivity Commission as I have not read that section of its report, but I know that very strong views were put to the select committee by the community that we should have representatives from the social justice and problem gambling areas as well as people with financial expertise and so on. That is why we did what we did, but I am obviously losing on that. I am happy to support Mr Quinlan's amendment as it will mean that we will see at least see one person on that commission with qualifications or experience. Mr Quinlan is to propose that amendment which, I agree with Mr Humphries, is useful. I will support Mr Quinlan.

MR QUINLAN (5.29): I understand, Mr Speaker, that I have to formally move that amendment to my amendment. I move:

Amendment to amendment agreed to.

Amendment, as amended, agreed to.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Clauses 11 to 14, by leave, taken together, and agreed to.

Proposed new Part IIA

MS TUCKER (5.30): I move:

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