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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 04 Hansard (Tuesday, 30 March 2004) . . Page.. 1365 ..

Consequently, we need to consider how appropriations are managed in terms of the budget reporting process. The changes proposed in this bill build on an amendment bill from May 2003 that permits the change in budgets when an administrative arrangement order occurs.

Today’s amendment extends this to all appropriations so that the Treasurer must amend the budget for the department’s financial year to show the effects of the variation and provision of funds. Clearly the government is still working out the best way to manage appropriations and reflect the effects on budgets.

I also note the requirement for the Treasurer to table a statement of amendments made to the Assembly within three sittings days. I also note that the over-prescriptive detail will be removed from the act and moved to the financial management guidelines. This sounds reasonable. I imagine that these guidelines will be presented to the Assembly in the near future in preparation for the budget process.

MR QUINLAN (Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Business and Tourism and Minister for Sport, Racing and Gaming) (10.03), in reply: I thank members, particularly the last three speakers who have actually explained, I think, what the bill is all about; it is purely mechanics. I thought for one magic moment that we were going to get through without a bit of gratuitous carping from the Democrats but no; you’ve restored my faith.

Let me say that, as far as piecemeal and haphazard go, the Treasury will continue to review the Financial Management Act. It got to be into the state that it was in because it was changed in a piecemeal and haphazard way, mainly by crossbenchers trying to keep the bastards honest. As I have said before in its place, it has been and will probably continue to be a soft target for those that would wish to make a little mark in the place. I think that the only sensible way to handle this is to make sure that we do continue to review that act and we do continue to improve it. If we fall by the wayside and we are not improving it, I am sure you’ll let us know.

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 Quinlan) proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

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