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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 1 Hansard (18 February) . . Page.. 119 ..

MR CORBELL (Minister for Health and Community Care and Minister for Planning) (4.34): The scrutiny of bills committee did note that proposed new section 39B provided the Commissioner for Public Administration with very broad powers, perhaps exceeding those he might otherwise normally have. The government's response to the scrutiny of bills committee's report noted that it was not the intent of this clause to increase the commissioner's powers, but simply a catch-all to ensure that the intent of the clause was implemented.

The amendment to proposed new section 39B proposed by Ms Tucker restricts the scope of this clause but, given that it nevertheless addresses the concern the government had to ensure that the Commissioner for Public Administration could do such things as were necessary to protect employee entitlements, the government will be supporting this amendment.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 5, as amended, agreed to.

Remainder of bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Adjournment

Motion (by Mr Wood ) proposed:

Mrs Jacqui Burke

MRS BURKE (4.35): As I was saying before I was interrupted, albeit some 15 months ago, what a wonderful community to be part of and what an even more wonderful community to serve. Thank you to those members from around the Assembly who so kindly welcomed me back. I do thank those voters who put their faith in me again. To those who did not, let me say that I am here as their representative as well.

I have the unique distinction of having followed two Chief Ministers into the Assembly by way of casual vacancies. I have one up on Mr Corbell, the only other member of this place to have succeeded a former Chief Minister. Further, by my appointment to the Legislative Assembly, the ACT can now claim to have the highest representation of women in any Australian parliament. I commend my colleague Ms Dundas, a member for Ginninderra, on her investigations and revelations in this regard. Well done, Ros.

I am told that I can also claim the distinction of having been the only member so far in the history of self-government in the territory to have been sworn in by two different chief justices. We have lost a great deal of corporate memory with Gary Humphries leaving here after 14 years. Whilst I do not claim to be able to fill the gap in that regard, I come with enthusiasm aplenty. Mr Deputy Speaker, I am glad to be back. Whether you are glad to have me is another matter, but I am glad to be back.

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