Budget and Finance Committee

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (16:13): I move:

1. That a committee, to be called the Budget and Finance Committee, be appointed to monitor and scrutinise all matters relating to the state budget and the financial administration of the state, any related policy matter and any other related matter.

2. That the standing orders of the Legislative Council in relation to select committees be applied and accordingly—

(a) that the committee consist of seven members, that the quorum of members necessary to be present at all meetings of the committee be fixed at four members; and

(b) that this council permits the committee to authorise the disclosure or publication, as it sees fit, of any evidence or documents presented to the committee prior to any such evidence being reported to the council.

3. That members of the council who are not members of the committee may, at the discretion of the chairperson, participate in proceedings of the committee but may not vote, move any motions or be counted for the purposes of a quorum.

4. That members of the council who are ministers of the Crown are unable to serve on the committee or participate in committee hearings, except as a witness called before the committee.

This motion, or one similar, was originally moved in about 2007 by the Hon. Rob Lucas, and we on our side of the chamber believe that on behalf of the Legislative Council and the people of South Australia the committee has worked well in holding governments, ministers and departments to account.

I certainly sat on the Budget and Finance Committee as a government member. As has been discussed and negotiated between all parties and individuals in the Legislative Council, as I understand it the membership of the committee will continue to be seven, with two government members, three opposition members and two crossbench members. This is a committee that works extremely hard and plays an important role in this parliament, and I look forward to the ongoing work of the Budget and Finance Committee.

This is a fairly straightforward motion and one that has been moved consistently throughout various parliamentary sessions over the years. I am keen to ensure that this motion is voted on during our next sitting week and members are given notice of my intention to do so.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.