Thursday, 7 March 2024

Constitution Amendment (SEC) Bill 2023

State Electricity Commission Amendment Bill 2023

Cognate debate

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (17:37): I move, by leave:

That this house authorises the President to permit the second-reading debates on the Constitution Amendment (SEC) Bill 2023 and the State Electricity Commission Amendment Bill 2023 to be taken concurrently.

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (17:37): I just want to say something briefly. The opposition will agree to the cognate debate, noting that they are obviously voted on separately, but I do want to put on record again the behaviour of the Minister for Energy and Resources and her office in providing –

Members interjecting.

David DAVIS: No, no, I just want to put it on the record so it is known. These bills were tabled in the Assembly back on 16 November, and briefings were provided to the opposition at 10:30 on Tuesday this week. So whilst we have no difficulty with it being a cognate debate, I just want it recorded that in future there needs to be a fair arrangement where briefing by departmental officials is provided in a timely way to the opposition and indeed other parties.

Motion agreed to.