“THAT, notwithstanding anything contained in Standing Orders and Sessional Orders there be appointed an Estimates Committee of the Legislative Assembly for the purposes of examining and reporting on the estimates of proposed expenditure contained in the Appropriation Bill 2009/2010.”
Now how’s that for some Parliamentary language?
What this means is the examination and reporting on the proposed expenditure in the current Northern Territory Budget by a special Estimates Committee taking place this week in Parliament.
Ironically, as Tennant Creek residents are getting ready for work on Friday morning I am providing evidence to the committee in terms of expenditure in the Transport and Correctional Services portfolios from 8.30am to 1pm.
Broadcasting and televising of the hearings are conducted and all hearings of the Estimates Committee are open to the public so in terms of open and accountable government the Estimates process certainly scrutinises the budget books.
The Estimates Committee represents Government, Opposition and Independent members of Parliament examining all budget outputs in four and one half hour blocks over four days from 8.30am to 11pm so one could imagine this Parliamentary process as where the ‘sparks tend to fly!’.
Each Government Minister heads-up their Department to take questions and in a team approach with senior public servants provides the answers as to the where’s and why-fore’s of the Territory budget.
Like all Parliamentary procedure an elected Chairperson presides over the Estimates Committee and will present a report to the Committee-of-the-Whole Assembly for further consideration over a final five hour time slot on Friday afternoon before the following question is proposed and put forthwith; “that the remainder of the Appropriation Bill 2009/2010 be agreed to.”
When the Bill has been agreed to by the Committee-of-the-Whole and reported to the Assembly, the third reading may be taken into consideration forthwith,” and the Budget passed!
The June sittings of Parliament represent a week of normal parliamentary procedure and one week of Estimates and for first time MLAs and Ministers a daunting challenge in the job of governing the Northern Territory.
As a Minister in the Henderson Government my specific portfolios relate to transport and correctional services and the questioning around such outputs will inform the people of the Northern Territory as to the way forward in difficult social and economic circumstances.
Budget 2009 represents ‘tough measures for tough times’ that will protect jobs and position the Territory well for further growth as the global economic crises turns around toward recovery and we accelerate toward 2030.