Page 804 - Week 02 - Thursday, 12 February 2009
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I might take the opportunity while I am on the floor to respond to Mr Seselja’s earlier comments. He may care to pay attention, as he asked us to stand up and address these points. Mr Seselja has been full of conspiracy theories this week. He has had all sorts of theories about the Greens being in collaboration with the government, about some extra agreement—I think we are an alliance now rather than there being an agreement.
I myself find that somewhat ironic in the context of the fact that this week the Greens have supported the Liberal Party’s version of the freedom of information amendment. We have also supported the Liberal Party’s motion of concern on Minister Corbell. I do not know where the suggestion came from. I do not want to cast too many aspersions in here. Perhaps I should compliment Mr Seselja on his creativity, but I think his suggestions are spurious and his comments to the media this week have simply been—I do not know what.
In terms of the language of the agreement, if we go to this question of the design of the independent arbiter position, paragraph 3.5, where we talk about this idea, talks about the provision of an independent arbiter to determine if a claim of executive privilege is legitimate, such as is provided for in the New South Wales upper house. We do not say that we are going to slavishly follow the New South Wales upper house. We are not going to copy it verbatim; it is not going to be a carbon copy. I think it is useful that we think about these things on the merits—that we look at it and we accept evolution. I trust that you accept evolution.
Mr Seselja, as the Greens have ably demonstrated through the course of this week, we focus on the outcome of a particular issue, of a particular vote. We are not into the politics—not about following one side of this parliament or the other. It is about finding the best possible outcome.
Members interjecting—
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ms Burch): Order! Mr Rattenbury.
MR RATTENBURY: Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. As I was observing, for the Greens it is all about getting the best possible outcome. We will vote for whichever version we believe delivers that, in consultation and discussion with other parties as well as people outside this chamber.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water, Minister for Energy and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (4.51): The government will be supporting these amendments.
Amendments agreed to.
Motion, as amended, agreed to.
Strategic and Functional Review of the ACT Public Sector and Services
MR SESELJA (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (4.51), by leave: I move:
That this Assembly calls on the Chief Minister to table the Strategic and Functional Review of the ACT Public Sector and Services in the Assembly before the end of this sitting day.
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