Page 10 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 15 February 2011
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more opportunity to go through the scrutiny comments before bills come up for debate. I commend the report to the Assembly.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mrs Dunne, and for the update on the revised timetable.
ACT government campaign advertising—independent reviewer
MR STANHOPE (Ginninderra—Chief Minister, Minister for Transport, Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Minister for Business and Economic Development, Minister for Land and Property Services, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs and Minister for the Arts and Heritage) (10.23), by leave: I move:
That, in accordance with the Government Agencies (Campaign Advertising) Act 2009, Derek Volker be appointed as the Independent Reviewer—ACT Government Campaign Advertising for a period of three years from 15 February 2011.
Mr Speaker, this issue is well known to all members of the Assembly. It has been agitated, discussed and debated on a couple of occasions. I think everybody understands the credentials that Mr Volker brings to the particular role, if he were to be appointed. I think they are beyond dispute; they are unassailable. He has the experience, the reputation and the standing to well and appropriately fulfil the role of ACT government campaign advertising independent reviewer, and I commend his appointment to members.
MS HUNTER (Ginninderra—Parliamentary Convenor, ACT Greens) (10.25): Here we are again debating the appointment of the government advertising reviewer. I think it is worth observing the considerable politicking that has gone on around a process that is supposed to safeguard the community against inappropriate politicking in advertising.
Whilst I have voiced my frustration at this in a number of forums, I would like to take the opportunity to clarify my support for the act itself, the need for the review process and the appointment process. No-one doubts the huge responsibility this parliament entrusts the government with, not least of which is the responsibility for the very significant expenditure of public money. It is appropriate and proportionate to have this type of protection against the inappropriate expenditure of public money.
Equally, it is appropriate to ensure that the person appointed to fulfil the role of reviewer enjoys the confidence of two-thirds of the Assembly. There is also a responsibility on all of us to openly and honestly explain our position and the reasons for our decisions. Equally, we all need to be clear about the nature of the role the Assembly has given itself and not overstep what is a very clear role in that process.
Mr Speaker, as I said the first time we debated this motion, the Greens are happy to support the appointment of Mr Volker to the position. Mr Volker has expertise and experience in public administration, as required in section 12 of the Government Agencies (Campaign Advertising) Act, and he is not currently employed in the public service.
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