Page 761 - Week 03 - Thursday, 2 April 2020
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federal government and we are keeping oversight of what our government is doing in this incredibly trying time. Hopefully, it will lead to better outcomes for everyone.
MS CHEYNE (Ginninderra) (11.17): The government supports the establishment of this select committee and thanks the whips for the collegiate manner in which this motion has been drafted. As Mr Wall indicated, it does have some extra provisions, being mindful of the public health emergency declaration and the resources of government. We appreciate the efforts that all parties have shown in making this as workable as possible.
MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (11.17): These are extraordinary times that require extraordinary power and therefore extraordinary scrutiny. We have to make sure that all the decisions that are made in this time are evidence based and have the appropriate level of transparency, scrutiny and input. Now more than ever we need evidence-based decisions.
We are trusting the executive, we are trusting the government, with enormous powers during this period, and that is right, but we also want to make sure that they are getting as much input as possible from all parties in this place. This is a time for tripartisanship. It is a time to push politics aside and to make sure that we are genuinely working collaboratively. It means the opposition working with the government but also the government working with the opposition. It is a time for everybody to work together to ensure that we get through this crisis as quickly as possible.
I very much hope that when this committee is established it is seen as not a burden by the government but rather an opportunity to send decisions, to send ideas, to send proposals to the committee for constructive feedback. It is my preference that the default position for this committee should be public hearings and public information, but I accept that there are going to be some times, for public health reasons in particular, when there are going to need to be some confidential discussions. But I think it is very important that this committee is established and that all Canberrans can have confidence that the cabinet and the Chief Minister are being appropriately scrutinised during this very difficult period.
Finally, I want to thank my colleague Andrew Wall for setting the wheels in motion regarding the establishment of this committee. I think it is going to be a very important aspect of our governance framework over the coming months and I very much hope it is supported by the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Estimates 2020-2021—Select Committee
Resolution rescinded
MR WALL (Brindabella) (11.20): I move:
That the resolution of the Assembly of 20 February 2020 that established the Select Committee on Estimates 2020-2021, and the resolution appointing Members to that Committee, be rescinded.
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