Page 2510 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 17 June 2009
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We know that a collaborative approach to policy development provides an opportunity to hear the views of different groups in the community and supports shared ownership and accountability for decisions that emerge from those processes. The social compact provides a strong foundation to progress our government’s citizen centred governance framework for the future, and that is why I moved this motion today to call upon this Assembly to support the federal government’s compact with the not-for-profit sector, and I do thank all members for their strong support.
Motion agreed to.
Remonstrance—Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988
Debate resumed.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water, Minister for Energy and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (5.23): I move:
Omit all words after “That this Assembly”, substitute:
(1) recognises the tri-partisan view expressed in the ceremonial sitting for the 20th anniversary of self-government that it was time to re-visit the ACT’s Self-Government Act;
(2) resolves that subsection 35(2) of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 is an unwarranted restriction on the democratic rights of ACT citizens (noting that this power can be presently exercised by the Governor-General on advice from the Prime Minister without prior scrutiny, debate or vote in the Australian Parliament);
(3) notes that in the event that section 35(2) was repealed the Commonwealth Parliament would retain the right to legislate for the ACT under section 122 of the Australian Constitution;
(4) resolves that after 20 successful years of self-government a joint ACT/Commonwealth review of the Self-Government Act and related matters is needed to determine whether it continues to provide the best model for effective and democratic self-government for the ACT;
(5) resolves that such review should include the following matters in its terms of reference:
(a) the most appropriate way to remove the Governor-General’s disallowance power contained in section 35(2);
(b) the most appropriate way to lift the restriction on the Legislative Assembly determining its own size;
(c) the updating of the Act to remove a range of provisions that have become redundant, such as provisions concerned with powers that have subsequently been transferred to the Territory;
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