The parties acknowledge and support the principle of the financial initiative of the Executive – the exclusive right of executive arm of government to develop and frame appropriation bills for consideration by the legislative arm of government. The parties acknowledge that, while the executive government is entitled to frame a budget appropriation bill as it sees fit, the recommended appropriation for the Office of the Legislative Assembly will, as a matter of fundamental principle, be regarded as a statement of the Legislature’s resource requirements and priorities. The parties acknowledge that there will be occasions in which the demands of government policy have the potential to conflict with the roles and functions of an effective legislature. Where these conflicts potential or otherwise arise, the parties agree to ensure that the – – Legislature can perform its accountability, representative and legislative roles effectively. The parties recognise and support the independent status of the Legislative Assembly and the Office of the Legislative Assembly in its capacity as the Legislature's primary source of administrative and procedural advice and support. The parties acknowledge that the Office of the Assembly is not subject to the direction of the Executive and is not, therefore, bound by policies, procedures and other governance arrangements promulgated by the Executive or its officers in the ACT public service, unless otherwise provided for by law. Pursuant to s20 of the Financial Management Act 1996, the parties acknowledge that the Speaker is responsible for: consulting with the Standing Committee on Administration and Procedure on the recommended appropriation (s20(a)) for the Office; approving the recommended appropriation and draft budget (s20(b)) for the Office of the Legislative Assembly; and transmitting the recommended appropriation and the draft budget to the Treasurer according to the timetable agreed with Treasury as part of the budget process. Where the Speaker seeks to advance an Assembly Budget Proposal on behalf of the Office, the parties agree that the Speaker shall be given the opportunity to make an oral submission to the Budget Cabinet Committee on the recommended appropriation. The parties agree that the Clerk, supported by the Office, is responsible for:
The parties acknowledge and support the principle of the financial initiative of the Executive – the exclusive right of executive arm of government to develop and frame appropriation bills for consideration by the legislative arm of government. The parties acknowledge that, while the executive government is entitled to frame a budget appropriation bill as it sees fit, the recommended appropriation for the Office of the Legislative Assembly will, as a matter of fundamental principle, be regarded as a statement of the Legislature’s resource requirements and priorities. The parties acknowledge that there will be occasions in which the demands of government policy have the potential to conflict with the roles and functions of an effective legislature. Where these conflicts – potential or otherwise – arise, the parties agree to ensure that the Legislature can perform its accountability, representative and legislative roles effectively. The parties recognise and support the independent status of the Legislative Assembly and the Office of the Legislative Assembly in its capacity as the Legislature's primary source of administrative and procedural advice and support. The parties acknowledge that the Office of the Assembly is not subject to the direction of the Executive and is not, therefore, bound by policies, procedures and other governance arrangements promulgated by the Executive or its officers in the ACT public service, unless otherwise provided for by law. Pursuant to s20 of the Financial Management Act 1996, the parties acknowledge that the Speaker is responsible for: consulting with the Standing Committee on Administration and Procedure on the recommended appropriation (s20(a)) for the Office; approving the recommended appropriation and draft budget (s20(b)) for the Office of the Legislative Assembly; and transmitting the recommended appropriation and the draft budget to the Treasurer according to the timetable agreed with Treasury as part of the budget process. Where the Speaker seeks to advance an Assembly Budget Proposal on behalf of the Office, the parties agree that the Speaker shall be given the opportunity to make an oral submission to the Budget Cabinet Committee on the recommended appropriation. The parties agree that the Clerk, supported by the Office, is responsible for:
Budget-Protocols-Final-doc-2014-0624.docx