Page 3812 - Week 12 - Thursday, 24 October 2013
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MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (12.07): There has been quite some discussion about these amendments and I think the Chief Minister has outlined many of the key points. In my mind, it is quite clear that the legislation will apply to the current ombudsman in the capacity that they are the ACT Ombudsman, and that is quite clear when one looks at the details of their operating arrangements.
I very much see this proposal put forward by the Chief Minister as a transitional provision. It acknowledges, I think, the fair point that to establish a separate ACT ombudsman, certainly at this point, seems unjustified. I think the arrangement we have with the commonwealth where we essentially share the service is a good, effective and cost-effective mechanism for the ACT. So there is certainly no intent on my part at this point—and I do not think anybody in the Assembly expects it at this stage—to create a separate ombudsman’s office for the territory. I think the current arrangement is working well.
But these amendments look to that occasion where, if we do reach a point where we think a separate ACT ombudsman is worth it, there is put in place a mechanism to ensure that the full budget implications of that are considered and the executive has an opportunity to be involved in that discussion. I think that is appropriate, given the potential cost implications. On that basis, I have agreed to support the amendments.
Amendments agreed to.
Clause 55, as amended, agreed to.
Clauses 56 to 69, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Schedule 1, part 1.1 agreed to.
Schedule 1, part 1.2.
MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (12.09), by leave: I move amendments Nos 2, 3 and 4 circulated in my name together [see schedule 2 at page 3869].
Regarding amendment No 2, this amendment corrects a minor error in the current bill and clarifies that the financial arrangements currently in place in the Electoral Commission, effectively that the Electoral Commission is solely responsible for the financial affairs of the commission, will remain in place. However, it ensures that the budget appropriations and the associated processes created in the bill for the determination of the annual budget apply to the whole Electoral Commission and not just the Electoral Commissioner.
Regarding amendments Nos 3 and 4, these are minor amendments that come about as a result of an oversight in the original bill. The amendments clarify that the same financial obligations as the Assembly has put in place for the Office of the Legislative Assembly will also apply to the officers of the Legislative Assembly.
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