Page 2325 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 16 June 2009
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2009-10, we will be dedicating resources to preparing detailed options for amendment of the self-government act and we will undertake a comprehensive consultation with relevant Assembly, commonwealth, community and other stakeholders.
I and the Chief Minister have met with the former Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Debus, on a significant number of occasions to discuss this matter. The Chief Minister has made several detailed representations to the Prime Minister. We will continue with this course of action. In particular, with the appointment of the new home affairs minister, Mr O’Connor, we will seek to pursue the issue with him and win his support.
But the real question, of course, is: where is the Liberal Party in this important debate? We have seen their ambivalence in the past. Previous Liberal MLAs have come out and welcomed commonwealth intervention in ACT law making. We saw that in relation to the civil unions act.
Now is the time for all leaders in this place to unequivocally state self-determination is a vital issue for the territory. The removal of undemocratic provisions in the self-government act is an essential reform and we should be united in our pursuit of those goals.
Mr Stanhope: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Answers to questions on notice
Question Nos 30 and 211
MRS DUNNE: In accordance with standing order 118A, I seek an explanation from the Attorney-General as to the reasons for his failure to answer question No 30, which was due on 12 March 2009 and which the minister told the Assembly on 6 May was essentially in the mail, that he had signed off. It still has not arrived; it is still on the notice paper. And question 211, for which the 30 days expired on 4 June 2009, has not been received by me. Can I have an explanation.
MR CORBELL: In relation to Mrs Dunne’s question on notice No 30, it is a large and complex answer which has required significant resources from my department and ACT Policing to answer. It is currently awaiting clearance from the deputy chief executive of my department. I will endeavour to provide it to members as soon as possible. In relation to question on notice No 211, that has been provided to the Secretariat today.
MRS DUNNE: On the standing order, I seek your guidance, Mr Speaker. On 6 May, the minister told me that that matter would be with me shortly. He said:
I thank Mrs Dunne for the question. Mr Speaker, those questions have now been cleared by my office and they should be with Mrs Dunne shortly.
Now, a month later, I am being told that the matter has not been dealt with and has not yet been cleared. I think the Assembly should take note of the minister’s failure to not provide an answer to the question.
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