Page 306 - Week 01 - Thursday, 11 December 2008
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We should note that obviously there is a considerable amount of committee work as well which we will need to get through. We have an extra standing committee, and there is going to be a number of select committees. These are committees which have been put forward by the Greens and also the opposition, I might note.
In relation to getting through business, I add: I think it is up to all of us in the Assembly to respect the amount of business that we have to get through. This is both executive and private members. And this has been noted in my discussions with the whips and in the admin and procedures committee. So I think we need to respect those discussions, respect that we have to get through the business. As we have noted, we do have an extra four weeks per year. So I think that should be noted.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water, Minister for Energy and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (12.01): I intend to close the debate on this motion. I thank members for their contribution. I am disappointed at the approach adopted by the Liberal Party. I think their bona fides can be shown by the concession made by Mr Hanson that he did not seek to consult with the government on this. That really says it all, I think. Despite repeated requests by me and my office for feedback from the Liberal Party, it was not forthcoming until they sought this one-upmanship in the form of this amendment by Mr Hanson this morning.
It is disappointing that the argument is made that, if the Assembly is not meeting, then members are not working. I think that falls into the trap that critics of politicians make all too frequently. It is disappointing to hear Mr Hanson make that same argument. Mr Hanson should know—and if not, I am sure he will learn—that there is a lot more work done in this place than what simply occurs in this chamber. The work of the executive, the work of members on committees, the work of members representing their electorates is significant. And it extends not just during the working week but to weekends and evenings every week of the year. The work of an elected member is not just in this place. And it is disappointing that Mr Hanson fails to recognise that or seeks to use that populist argument to advance his motion here today.
Finally, Mr Hanson also refers to the size of the notice paper as some indication of work undone or not complete. Again, Mr Hanson will, hopefully, understand later in this term that the reason the notice paper becomes large is that members keep items on there that they have no intention of progressing further in this place. Those items become redundant or dated or simply irrelevant to the business of the Assembly. And they choose themselves not to progress that. I think there are some lessons to be learnt still in this regard. I know that, in time, they will be.
I thank the Greens for their support of the motion and for their willingness to talk and consult on a suitable sitting pattern. I commend the motion to members.
Question put:
That Mr Hanson’s amendment be agreed to.
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