Page 3201 - Week 10 - Thursday, 15 August 2013
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MR HANSON (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (9.11): The opposition will support this bill, and we will support it because, unlike the appropriation bill that we have just voted—
Mr Barr: It pays your salaries!
MR HANSON: I did not get very far, did I, before the sneer the smear, the rancour, the negativity. The new way did not last long, did it? We see the negativity from those opposite. That is to be expected, I suppose.
Anyway, back to where I was. The Office of the Legislative Assembly provides a wide range of services to the Assembly, its members, staff and the broader Canberra community. Amongst other things, it provides independent confidential advice to members, it ensures the proceedings of the Assembly and its committee run smoothly and are reported faithfully, it provides an education program for citizens of all ages as well as for public servants, it ensures citizens have access the meeting and exhibition and reception facilities of the Assembly, it manages an art collection—I noticed a few new pieces up recently—it provides library information, technology and business support services and it provides a number of other functions.
Mr Assistant Speaker, I do not need to tell people who work at the Assembly how much members and our staff appreciate what they do for us. They are dedicated people. They have had to endure the speeches over the last couple of days, probably some better than others. The staff are quiet achievers. We say it every Christmas, but this is another opportunity as well to thank all the staff of the Legislative Assembly for the fine work they do.
A number of works have been done over the last period of time. I note we have a new roof and that that came in under budget and on time. Perhaps there is something that can be learnt by the ACT government.
Ms Porter interjecting—
The relentless interjection from Ms Porter, the relentless negativity, it is tiring. I think it is probably too much for me. In all seriousness, this is a bill we support.
MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (9.15): I thank the Treasurer for letting me get in a quick word before we finish debate on this bill. The Greens will support the bill. Nonetheless, there are issues with the first home owner grant, and I think that policy requires some further consideration.
Mr Hanson: Mr Assistant Speaker, on a point of order on relevance, the Greens executive member-cum-part-time Speaker appears to have nodded off at some stage and missed a series of votes we had in this place.
Mr Smyth: On the point of order, it is actually in appendix Z that the Greens member can speak on anything at any time.
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