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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 1 Hansard (13 December) . . Page.. 281 ..

MRS CROSS (continuing):

On the ACTION Authority Amendment Bill, I would like to say the following. The opposition is happy to support the bill. It is nice that we have had bipartisan support on a number of things. Events over the past couple of years have demonstrated that employees' entitlements are not as safe as we once thought. We believe job security is of paramount importance, and we are happy to support legislative action that moves positively in this direction. As an opposition, we will not oppose for opposition's sake and, on this side of the house, we are happy to support sound legislation that is demonstrably in the public interest.

Canberra has a long tradition of public service, and governments of all persuasions have been ably served at both Commonwealth and ACT levels. An efficient and effective public service depends, to a very large extent, on the recognition of professionalism, and on appropriate remuneration and conditions. We see these amendments as being strongly in the interests of both those employees directly affected, and the wider community whom they serve.

I would like to thank you, Mr Speaker, for doing a good job this week, and wish everyone a merry Christmas.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mrs Cross. I am overwhelmed. That is the first time a Liberal has ever said that.

MR CORBELL (Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services, Minister for Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations) (6.17), in reply: I thank members for their support for this bill. It is important that this bill is passed prior to the end of this year, so that the new authority can commence on 1 January next year. In that context, I thank you for your preparedness to address it in a short time frame.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.

Bill agreed to.

Adjournment

Motion (by Mr Wood) proposed:

Valedictory

MR HUMPHRIES (Leader of the Opposition) (6.18): Mr Speaker, I think we saw earlier today the clearest possible indication, during remarks made by Mr Wood, of divine disapproval of this place. Indeed, it may even have been an indication that perhaps we have sinned in some way, collectively, and perhaps an indication that the almighty does not entirely approve of the result of the last ACT election.

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