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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 11 Hansard (21 October) . . Page.. 3832 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

transparency of the annual budgetary process, which is what this amendment is seeking to do. In December 1996 Ms Tucker spoke about the importance of the primacy of the Legislative Assembly in the parliamentary and financial accountability process. Where is that same concern today?

I am disappointed that Ms Tucker will not support this amendment. That goes completely against various statements that she has made in the past. Blind Freddy could tell us that it would enhance accountability of the budgetary process. That is a sad step because it means that these amendments will not succeed and we will be out of kilter with Victoria. Amendments that were moved in that state clearly have led to some good results and they continue to do so.

Question put:

That Mr Stefaniak's amendment No 1 be agreed to.

The Assembly voted-

Ayes 7

Noes 8

Mrs Burke

Mrs Dunne

Mr Berry

Mr Quinlan

Mr Cornwell

Mr Pratt

Mr Corbell

Mr Stanhope

Mrs Cross

Mr Stefaniak

Ms Gallagher

Ms Tucker

Ms Dundas

Ms MacDonald

Mr Wood

Question so resolved in the negative.

MS TUCKER (11.38): I seek leave to move amendments Nos 1 to 3 together.

Leave granted.

MS TUCKER: I move amendments Nos 1 to 3 circulated in my name together [see schedule 2 at page 3880].

I have already apologised to members for giving late notice of these amendments. I understand that people are concerned about them. These amendments, which are quite simple, will require the government, when preparing a budget, to take into account the issue of ecologically sustainable development. The bill in its current form states:

(4) The proposed budget must be prepared taking into account-

(a) the principles of responsible fiscal management; and

(b) the object of providing a basis for sustainable social and economic services and infrastructure fairly to all ACT residents.

We could have a discussion about the meaning of the words "social sustainability". No doubt members would be aware that the definition of the word "environment"in the Environment Commissioner's legislation includes the word "social". It is important to make it clear, as we did in our amendment to the Auditor-General Act, that a responsible

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