Page 668 - Week 02 - Thursday, 20 March 2014
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I recently discussed this with the Electoral Commissioner when I bumped into him in the street. He put to me that that was not possible under the current act. That being the case I reflected on the fact that one can, of course, change the legislation. But that does not appear to be the path that we are going down. What this means is that smaller parties and independents will find it harder to enter the Assembly. I think that that is a matter that we might like to reflect on, but it is clear that we are heading down this path of five by five. I certainly look forward to working with members of this committee to contemplate what legislative and procedural changes, as well as resourcing issues, may arise in this discussion that we need to put in place to make sure that when the 2016 election comes around that significant transition for this place occurs as smoothly as possible.
I conclude by reiterating my support for the motion and I look forward to working with colleagues on these matters.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Education, Training and Youth Affairs—Standing Committee
Statement by chair
MS PORTER (Ginninderra): Pursuant to standing order 246A, I wish to make a statement on behalf of the Standing Committee on Education, Training and Youth Affairs for the Eighth Assembly relating to statutory appointments in accordance with continuing resolution 5A.
Continuing resolution 5A was agreed to by the Legislative Assembly on 23 August 2012. The requirements of the resolution set out a transparency mechanism to promote accountability in the consideration of statutory appointments. The resolution requires relevant standing committees that consider statutory appointments to report on a six-monthly basis and present a schedule listing appointments considered during the applicable period.
The schedule is required to include the statutory appointments considered and, for each appointment, the date the request from the responsible minister for consultation was received and the date the committee’s feedback was provided. For the applicable reporting period—1 July 2013 to 31 December 2013—the committee considered seven statutory appointments. I table the following paper:
Education, Training and Youth Affairs—Standing Committee—Schedule of Statutory Appointments—8th Assembly—Period 1 July to 31 December 2013.
The standing committee notes that, whilst it had no specific comment to make on any proposed appointments during this period, it continues to hold the view that several matters essential to the proper and transparent conduct of the statutory appointment process require monitoring by ministers, directorates advisers, and standing committees.
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