Page 2173 - Week 06 - Monday, 11 May 2009
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In some ways, the Hare-Clark system works well in this regard, in that it can produce, in the end, a result that can reflect the broad wishes of the people. Of the seven Assemblies that have been sworn into this place, only one of those has been a majority; all the others have required a minority arrangement to be established. Therefore, by the cross-checks and balances that that negotiation necessarily requires, a version of the scrutiny of a bicameral system comes forward.
Of particular importance in this regard is the role and responsibility of the committee system within a one-chamber structure. The committees play a vital role within our Assembly, allowing an open, accountable forum for scrutiny and information-gathering, using a multiparty approach. There is no doubt that the committee system can place burdens on both politicians and public servants, but it is a truly integral link in the chain of responsibility which binds us all.
The ACT is unique in its approach when compared to other state governments as it provides services direct to the community. Not only does the ACT government run the hospitals and the schools; it also runs the services that local councils administer in larger states. That is what is unique about this ACT arrangement. As a result, a territory parliament, when working at its best, is much more engaged with the community. The intimate relationship formed between the elected members and the broader community has resulted in a stronger, more relevant Legislative Assembly. While we have this relevance and responsibility, we do continue to extend our prominence in the community.
The role of the Chief Minister is one that many are aware of and recognise in its importance to the governance of the territory. Similarly, the executive enjoy high-profile positions. The work and role of the Assembly as a whole is perhaps less well known and understood. The role this Assembly plays as both legislature and carrying out those functions usually ascribed to the third-tier governments such as councils is a unique arrangement with unique responsibilities. Far from belittling this Assembly, I believe this extended responsibility is a strength of our system of governance in that it reduces duplication found elsewhere and keeps the Assembly and the executive in touch with actual outcomes of their decisions.
The third part of this motion expresses appreciation for the assistance given to us by other parliaments and their respective governments within Australia, and I offer my recognition of their representatives here in the chamber today. I would like to extend that notion to include the parliaments around the world who have helped shape and assist this Assembly, whether directly or indirectly. Many of the practices we use are inherently based on the Westminster tradition of Britain, although our chamber does work in some significantly different ways—many of them, I dare to venture, improvements on some of the somewhat archaic practices of the mother country.
I remember, just this term, the bewilderment of you, Mr Speaker, when introduced to the Speaker’s chair. Historically, the Speaker’s role attended significant personal jeopardy. Therefore, the successful nominee had to be dragged, struggling, into the chair in protest. This is still reflected in modern Westminster parliaments, including ours. The current Speaker did manage to get dragged to the chair, escorted by his colleagues, to utter his first words as Speaker, which I believe were to the effect of
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