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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 2 Hansard (29 February) . . Page.. 338 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

We have sought, in addition, to ensure that the regulatory referee for the Territory is accessible not only to members of the Government or the bureaucracy but more broadly and more effectively, and the Bill gives effect to that intention. There are some amendments on that which I want to come to later on in the debate on this Bill.

The ICRC Bill has referencing powers that are open for examination by the Assembly or any member of the community as a check against frivolous, vexatious or politically motivated references unlikely to deliver a benefit to the community or make a contribution to the quality of governance in the Territory. References will be adopted by the ICRC on a number of conditions, one being that the referring authority is able to fund the investigation demanded. However, there are avenues for ensuring that beneficial references are taken up, even where financial capacity is inadequate.

Mr Quinlan raised the issue of people raising appropriate issues that ought to be addressed and that are in the public interest but which they do not have the capacity to fund an inquiry into. I want to assure Mr Quinlan that it is the Government's intention that such matters should not be left unpursued because of an incapacity on the part of a person to pay for that kind of inquiry. I intend that there should be resources available to make sure that the commission is able to keep within its purview that particular function to deal with matters from people who might not be able to pay for an inquiry.

I will not debate the amendments at this stage, but I say to members, who I hope have not yet determined that they are going to support Ms Tucker's amendments, that there are some very important reasons why we should not accept those amendments to do with the management of the resources of the ICRC. I hope members will consider those arguments carefully before they vote on the amendments.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

MS TUCKER (11.40): I ask for leave to move amendments Nos 1 to 6 circulated in my name together.

Leave granted.

MS TUCKER: I move:

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