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Local Government Amendment (Election Date) Bill 2008 |
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Wednesday, 05 March 2008 |
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Mr MIKE BAIRD (Manly) [11.38 a.m.]: I will make three points about the Local Government Amendment (Election Date) Bill. I have been contacted by a number of people in my electorate who are considering running for election. They registered groups to stand for election according to the old timetable. I understand that the bill ensures that anyone who was appropriately registered for the old date is not affected by this bill.
Mr Paul Lynch: That is the intention.
Mr MIKE BAIRD: They appreciate that. The push for democracy is on in Warringah and a number of people are welcoming the opportunity to stand for election. I am looking forward to a revitalised council. The Dee Why town centre development is a huge proposal and an elected council should have the final say on it rather than the current arrangement. A big election issue for councils will be financial management and investments. This bill refers to the election date—
Mr Paul Lynch: Point of order: It is profoundly disappointing that Government members have to keep taking the same point of order. The leave of this bill is very narrow; it is about moving the date of the council elections forward two weeks.
Mr Anthony Roberts: There's no point of order!
Mr Paul Lynch: The member for Lane Cove might try to come to terms with the standing orders. The leave of the bill is very narrow. Mr Acting-Speaker, the member for Manly is now clearly traversing territory that has nothing to do with the leave of the bill, and I ask you to bring him back to the leave of the bill.
ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Wayne Merton): Order! The bill is very narrow and quite specific. However, I will allow the member for Manly to continue as I am certain he will concentrate on the leave of the bill.
Mr MIKE BAIRD: The bill is about the election date for local councils. In that context, an important issue in every local government election is financial management. I believe it is very much within the tenet of this bill. The point is, a serious issue facing councils—
Mr Paul Lynch: Point of order: The member for Manly is clearly ignoring your ruling and is now going well beyond the leave of the bill. You correctly pointed out to him the narrow nature of the bill. He is now trying to talk about financial management, which is not in this bill. It never was and it never will be. It is a destruction of the English language to argue that it is.
ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Wayne Merton): Order! The member for Manly is straying beyond the leave of the bill. However, I will give him an opportunity to address the leave of the bill.
Mr MIKE BAIRD: I will finish the point here, but it is interesting that the Minister does not want to allow public debate on—
Mr Paul Lynch: Point of order: In response to that false and offensive accusation, I point out that I am trying to have the standing orders adhered to. The member would be well advised to adhere to the rules.
ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Wayne Merton): Order! The member for Manly will confine his remarks to the leave of the bill.
Mr MIKE BAIRD: All I would say to the Minister is that more than six months ago I recommended changes to the ministerial investment order. He has done nothing to help councils and it will be an important council issue. He needs to take up the issue.
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