Matters of public importance —your Assembly @ work Non-sitting and sitting weeks—9 June to 8 August 2014 Issue 7/2014 — Condolence motion Summary: This bill will increase the number of The Chief Minister moved a motion of condolence members of the Legislative Assembly from 17 to for the victims of Malaysian Airlines Flight 25, effective from the next general election. MH17 on 5 August 2014. The motion expressed Proceedings: Debate resumed on this bill on the Assembly’s profound sorrow at the devastating 5 August 2014 with all parties supporting the loss of lives as a result of the tragedy and tendered proposed legislation. the Assembly’s heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of the victims. Both the Leader of the The bill was agreed to in principle and then Opposition and the ACT Greens representative passed by the Assembly with the concurrence of spoke in support of the motion. a 2/3 majority of Members in accordance with the requirements of the Proportional Representation At the conclusion, all Members stood in silence to (Hare-Clark) Entrenchment Act 1994. signify their support. — Summary: This bill will amend the Electoral Act Government business 1992 to increase the number of electorates in the Includes all business items presented to the ACT to five, with each electorate containing five Assembly by the Executive including bills, members of the Legislative Assembly. motions, and papers Proceedings: Debate resumed on 5 August 2014 Bill introduced with the Opposition indicating their support for the bill and stating that it would provide for Crimes Amendment Bill 2014— better governance of the ACT. The ACT Greens This bill will amend the Crimes Act 1900 to informed the Assembly that they would not provide a mechanism which supports the support the bill as they believe it would be Supreme Court’s power to consider inquiry locking in an electorate structure which reduces reports under the Act (presented 7 August 2014). the chances of others entering the Assembly as Members. The bill was agreed to in principle Bills debated after a vote. — The bill was then passed by the Assembly with Summary: The purpose of this bill is to clarify the the concurrent of a 2/3 majority of Members in 14 day consultation requirement introduced by accordance with the requirements of the the Auditor-General Amendment Act 2013 in relation Proportional Representation (Hare-Clark) to certain reports that are to be tabled in the Entrenchment Act 1994. Legislative Assembly. Proceedings: Debate resumed on the bill on 7 August 2014 with all parties in the Assembly supporting the proposed legislation. The bill was passed without amendment.
Matters of public importance —your Assembly @ work Non-sitting and sitting weeks—9 June to 8 August 2014 Issue 7/2014 Condolence motion The Chief Minister moved a motion of condolence for the victims of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 on 5 August 2014. The motion expressed the Assembly’s profound sorrow at the devastating loss of lives as a result of the tragedy and tendered the Assembly’s heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of the victims. Both the Leader of the Opposition and the ACT Greens representative spoke in support of the motion. At the conclusion, all Members stood in silence to signify their support. Government business Includes all business items presented to the Assembly by the Executive including bills, motions, and papers Bill introduced Crimes Amendment Bill 2014— This bill will amend the Crimes Act 1900 to provide a mechanism which supports the Supreme Court’s power to consider inquiry reports under the Act (presented 7 August 2014). Bills debated — Summary: The purpose of this bill is to clarify the 14 day consultation requirement introduced by the Auditor-General Amendment Act 2013 in relation to certain reports that are to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly. Proceedings: Debate resumed on the bill on 7 August 2014 with all parties in the Assembly supporting the proposed legislation. The bill was passed without amendment. — Summary: This bill will increase the number of members of the Legislative Assembly from 17 to 25, effective from the next general election. Proceedings: Debate resumed on this bill on 5 August 2014 with all parties supporting the proposed legislation. The bill was agreed to in principle and then passed by the Assembly with the concurrence of a 2/3 majority of Members in accordance with the requirements of the Proportional Representation (Hare-Clark) Entrenchment Act 1994. — Summary: This bill will amend the Electoral Act 1992 to increase the number of electorates in the ACT to five, with each electorate containing five members of the Legislative Assembly. Proceedings: Debate resumed on 5 August 2014 with the Opposition indicating their support for the bill and stating that it would provide for better governance of the ACT. The ACT Greens informed the Assembly that they would not support the bill as they believe it would be locking in an electorate structure which reduces the chances of others entering the Assembly as Members. The bill was agreed to in principle after a vote. The bill was then passed by the Assembly with the concurrent of a 2/3 majority of Members in accordance with the requirements of the Proportional Representation (Hare-Clark) Entrenchment Act 1994.