Page 3908 - Week 10 - Thursday, 20 September 2018
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(c) who is responsible or has jurisdiction to rule on what bills or amendments are compatible with the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988; and
(d) any other relevant matter.
This motion is born of the discussion in the Assembly on Tuesday relating to Mr Parton’s amendment to the gaming taxation bill that was debated. It seems that there is still a level of uncertainty or differing of interpretation of section 65 of the self-government act that establishes the Assembly here in the ACT and also the application of some imposed resolutions of the Assembly, particularly that of the initiative of the Crown when it comes to the appropriation of money bills.
Further questions have also been raised this week following the presentation of Mr Parton’s private member’s bill yesterday for land tax exemption on community housing. This is probably a prudent time to re-evaluate and refamiliarise ourselves with the operation and practice of the self-government act, how it applies to us as members and how it relates to the freedoms that members have not only to amend bills that the executive seek to bring here but also to bring private members’ bills forward.
A further question which I have included in my referral is: who ultimately is the arbiter and what is and is not consistent with the self-government act? There was some question over the role of the Speaker in that function on Tuesday’s debate. I look forward to admin and procedure delving into this inquiry and hopefully clarifying some of these provisions.
There is no contest that, in this place, a line does exist between the powers of the executive and the powers of the non-executive members when it comes to appropriations. What is needed is some clarity around where that line exists exactly and what powers or what rights various members have in different spaces. I commend this motion to the Assembly and look forward to the support of other members.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Education, Employment and Youth Affairs—Standing Committee
Statement by chair
MR PETTERSSON (Yerrabi) (12.03): Pursuant to standing order 246A, I wish to make a statement on behalf of the Standing Committee on Education, Employment and Youth Affairs, updating the Assembly on the committee’s inquiry into standardised testing in ACT schools.
The inquiry’s terms of reference are on the committee’s website. They include consideration of the purpose and use of standardised tests such as NAPLAN, PISA, TIMSS and PIPS, along with A to E reporting. The committee is also considering the impacts on students, teachers and teaching practices, as well as the ACT’s performance in standardised testing. The committee will also consider the
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