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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 2 Hansard (20 February) . . Page.. 379 ..

Wednesday, 20 February 2002

The Assembly met at 11.30 am.

(Quorum not present.)

The bells having been rung and a quorum not being present, the sitting was suspended until the ringing of the bells.

Sitting suspended from 11.34 am to 12.05 pm.

MR SPEAKER (Mr Berry) took the chair and asked members to stand in silence and pray or reflect on their responsibilities to the people of the Australian Capital Territory.

Meeting of the Assembly

MR SPEAKER: Members, I wish to make a statement concerning the actions I took this morning in relation to the sitting of the Assembly.

When it became apparent that the meeting of members with the ATSIC board would not be completed at the time the Assembly was due to meet at 11.30, I directed that the bells not be rung for the full five minutes as required by standing orders. I also directed that, when a quorum was not present at 11.30, the bells not be rung for five minutes, as is required by the standing orders.

I sent members a brief note during that meeting advising them of my intentions in relation to the sitting of the Assembly. I am that sure members will understand that I took these actions so as to not disrupt the late meeting with the ATSIC board.

May I say this, however: I trust that members will not think that this is a precedent. I hope that, the next time that they are caught in a meeting somewhere, they don't ring me and ask me to delay the Assembly proceedings, because that situation will not be regarded as kindly as was this very important and symbolic meeting with the ATSIC board. Thank you, members.

Land (Planning and Environment) Amendment Bill 2002

Ms Tucker , pursuant to notice, presented the bill and its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MS TUCKER (12.08): I move:

This bill expands the provisions of the land act regarding minor amendments to development approvals.

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