Page 3235 - Week 10 - Thursday, 25 September 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
based on reasonable grounds and that, to the extent feasible, the relevant elements of the public interest be spelt out. In the latter respect, the terms of subclause 8(2) might well be a model, given that it states criteria for a variation of a major event declaration. The changes ensure that any limitation on human rights due to a declaration will be necessary, appropriate and reasonable.
Debate interrupted in accordance with standing order 74 and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour.
Sitting suspended from 12.32 to 2.30 pm.
Questions without notice
Government—polling
MR HANSON: My question is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, Canberrans have recently been polled by a “robo” calling service called the “Greasy Poll”, asking them how much they support various government policies, including light rail, asbestos removal and city to the lake. Chief Minister, is the government in any way responsible for this polling being conducted?
MS GALLAGHER: I thank the leader of the opposition for the question. I heard Mr Coe mention this yesterday, and that was the first I had heard of it. I am not aware of the government authorising—certainly not me—any polling on those matters.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: What, if any, polling is the government currently conducting?
MS GALLAGHER: I would have to take that on notice. In this instance I am not sure how you would define “polling”. Certainly, surveys—
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: I am not going to mislead the Assembly either. I am aware that each directorate at different points, as is required by many of the performance indicators in the annual reporting season and budget process, measure their performance. That research could be and has been in the past interpreted and defined as polling. This is part of government work where research is undertaken and surveys are completed as part of normal government business. But on the issue that Mr Hanson has specifically raised, I am not aware of that and I am not aware of who has been conducting it.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.
MR COE: Chief Minister, is it appropriate to use polling to confirm support for existing policy priorities?
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video