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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 01 Hansard (Thursday, 12 February 2004) . . Page.. 289 ..

administration or the application of particular issues brought forward and, I have to say, the feedback has been sporadic at best. It has been unsatisfactory.

I have had discussions where I have actually pointed out where a particular piece of legislation or resolution that Ms Dundas has put forward would cause considerable difficulty far beyond the value that might be gained under the “keeping the bastards honest flag” and, again, the response and the consultation has been, for the record, highly unsatisfactory.

Question resolved in the affirmative, with the concurrence of an absolute majority.

Public Accounts—Standing Committee

Reference

MR QUINLAN (Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Business and Tourism, and Minister for Sport, Racing and Gaming) (12.03): I move:

That:

(1) notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 174—The Financial Management Amendment Bill 2003 (No 3); and

(2) the general questions of the requirements, purpose, structure, limitations, Ministerial and associated obligations relating to the Treasurer’s Advance provisions of the Financial Management Act 1996, considering inter alia views from interested parties in the ACT and the operations of Treasurer’s Advance provisions in other jurisdictions—

be referred to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts for a public inquiry for report by no later than the sitting day of 1 April 2004.

Mr Speaker, I have moved this motion because the government is keen to ensure that any changes that are made to the Financial Management Act, and in particular the Treasurer’s Advance, are workable. I respect and will respect whatever decisions this Assembly makes in relation to that, but I think there ought to be the opportunity for a committee to take a more considered approach. The deliberations are to be conducted in the committee first rather than simply in this chamber because, as Mr Smyth rightly pointed out earlier this week, politics do pervade this place and its deliberations.

We would like to ensure that whoever is in government still has the opportunity to react by virtue of the Treasurer’s Advance to address emerging problems. Still remain accountable to the Assembly but let us make sure that we do not just go overboard on “keeping the bastards honest” and we still have a practicable base for the operation of the Financial Management Act and the use of the Treasurer’s Advance.

Debate (on motion by Mrs Dunne) adjourned to a later hour.

Rates Bill 2003

[Cognate bill:

Land Tax Bill 2003]

Debate resumed from 27 November 2003, on motion by Mr Quinlan:

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