Page 2367 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 31 July 2018
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evidence that was not considered by that investigatory body. The exposure draft does not create any new offences in relation to any retrospective conduct being investigated or change the law. It simply creates a mechanism to investigate breaches of the law.
The exposure draft provides for the Assembly to determine what is subject to parliamentary privilege. Similar to the arrangement between the Australian Federal Police and the Assembly, a memorandum of understanding between the integrity commission and the Speaker will be developed to ensure that parliamentary privilege arrangements are matters for the Assembly. The MOU will be supported by processes outlined in the standing orders and continuing resolutions.
The government proposes that the Standing Committee on Administration and Procedure be the relevant Assembly committee that will have oversight functions over the integrity commission and the inspector, instead of creating a new standing committee to undertake this role. The Legislative Assembly Commissioner for Standards is currently reporting to the Select Committee on Administration and Procedure, so it is appropriate that the same arrangements apply to the ACT integrity commission and inspector. Other jurisdictions do have a special and separate parliamentary committee that oversights the relevant integrity commission, which is the reasoning behind this approach.
The government’s response indicated that the draft legislation would be referred to a select committee before being presented to the Assembly later this year. The government is on track to meet this time frame, with the select committee reporting by the end of October.
This exposure draft is a significant piece of legislation developed in a short period within an existing and complex integrity environment. The government looks forward to the select committee’s inquiry and report to allow the introduction and possible debate on legislation later this year.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Government priorities—spring 2018
Ministerial statement
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism and Major Events) (11.03): I am pleased this morning to outline the government’s policy and legislative priorities for the second half of 2018. The government will focus on strengthening our city and supporting our community. We are delivering new local schools and more places for kids at our existing schools. We are strengthening care in our hospitals and rolling out better health services for Canberrans across our city. We are increasing investment in services for our city and suburbs and boosting our police and emergency services to keep Canberrans safe.
Across our community we are delivering more places for women to seek safe and secure accommodation. We are working on a new housing strategy to lay out the next phase of our investment in public, community and affordable housing. And we are
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