XN000022-1987-05-27 — Page 6

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1987

+THIS MEANS A GOVERNMENT WHICH IS SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, AS THEY CHANGE AND DEVELOP OVER TIME, AND WHICH IS PREPARED TO RESPOND TO THOSE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS IN FORMULATING AND CARRYING OUT ITS POLICIES, HE SAID.

THIS WAS THE GOVERNMENT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ENDEAVOURED TO BE, MR FORD SAID.

+FOR MANY YEARS WE HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING OUR GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS ALONG MORE REPRESENTATIVE LINES, IN STEP WITH THE GROWTH WITHIN THE COMMUNITY OF THE WISH FOR A SAY, AND FOR DIRECT PARTICIPATION, IN THE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT. +

HE SAID THIS COMMITMENT WAS REFLECTED IN THE WIDE RANGE OF CHANNELS WHICH NOW EXISTED THROUGH WHICH THE VIEWS AND CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY COULD BE MADE KNOWN TO THE GOVERNMENT.

+THEY INCLUDE AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, ON WHICH MANY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE PARTICIPATE, AS WELL AS THE MORE FORMAL INSTITUTIONS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT: THE DISTRICT BOARDS, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THIS COUNCIL ITSELF. +

MR FORD SAID THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING A MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN GRADUAL, AND THE STEPS TAKEN CAREFUL AND MEASURED. HE SAID AT EACH STAGE, THE GOVERNMENT HAD CONSULTED EXTENS IVELY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

ANTI-CORRUPTION LAW UPDATED

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CHANGES TO THE ANTI-CORRUPTION LAW ARE AIMED AT CLARIFYING OR IMPROVING PRESENT PROCEDURES OR REVISING PENALTIES, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, MR THOMAS SAID NONE OF THE CHANGES WERE INTENDED TO MAKE ANY SIGNIFICANT EXTENSION TO THE POWER AND RANGE OF OPERATIONS OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.

HE SAID IT WAS SEVEN YEARS SINCE THE LAST COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE LEGISLATION UNDER WHICH THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION OPERATED.

/HE ADDED