Page 3223 - Week 10 - Thursday, 25 September 2014
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cannot afford to rest on our laurels and say, “We’ve got it right so far, therefore she’ll be right.” Essentially, waiting for something to go wrong is not the approach, and I think that has been accepted in this place.
More broadly, I would indicate that it is a very positive thing that the three parties in this place, although potentially we have disagreed on some of the detail, have moved forward in strengthening this Assembly to make sure that it is a better functioning organisation that can provide better governance. That includes the decision that we took, which was a difficult one, to increase the size of the Assembly. There is also the work that has been done by the tri-party committee on the review of the Electoral Act. I know there are some disagreements on some elements from the crossbench but, in the main, the intent is shared.
The Chief Minister has outlined the details. I will not go to that, but I will point out that this is something that is going to engage ministers more than the non-executive. It is a reality that, whoever is in government, it is ministers who appropriate funds and make the decisions that will result in public money being spent. We are happy to comply, we are comfortable to comply, and we will comply. But this is not something that I would anticipate will affect the non-executive as much as it will the executive. We will need to make sure that this does not inadvertently encumber members in the conduct of their duties.
This is new and, as the Chief Minister has pointed out, it is the result of a lot of work. I commend the committee, and certainly the Clerk and his staff, for the work that they have done. It may be that when this takes effect we find there are elements that need review or updating. I think that would be understandable. If that is the case then we should not be afraid of changing this to make it more workable—not change the effect or dilute it but just make sure that what we have looked at in theory on paper actually works on the ground. It would be reasonable to look at this in maybe 12 months time and see how it has all rolled out.
The opposition supports this. I think it is a good initiative. This year we have implemented a number of things which have been good for the Assembly. I look forward to any legislation that comes forward as a result of the review into the Electoral Act which can further strengthen this Assembly to make sure that the ACT community can retain its confidence in its elected members.
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 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
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