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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 5 Hansard (11 May) . . Page.. 1544 ..

MR MOORE (continuing):

have been a huge number of changes. Sometimes I see things occurring in the Assembly-perhaps the events of late this afternoon are one of those circumstances-and I feel particularly concerned about where we have got to. On the other hand, in the vast majority of cases, I must say that I think that the Assembly operates much better than it did when we started.

Looking back to the days of the First Assembly, there were very interesting characters and flamboyant times, but I would not wish them again on any Assembly again, as interesting as they were, because the decisions that came out of there were often questionable. But it was the case in the First Assembly, for all those things, that we developed a very strong committee system. We have to be very careful to guard that committee system very well. I heard Mr Wood say earlier today that he enjoys the committee work. I have to say that one of the things I miss as a minister is the committee work.

When people go into those committees in good faith and try to reach comprises, understand the issues and make recommendations, we get really excellent outcomes. We must not lose sight of that. The vast majority of the work that does go on both in here and in the committees is extraordinarily positive, with each member seeking in their own way to operate in the interests of the community and develop a better society as they see it. Mr Speaker, the 11 years of the Assembly have shown an extraordinary growth. It is something that I must say I am very proud to be associated with.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

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