LEGISLATIVE Councillor Mr Gilbert Leung Kam-ho yesterday accused the Government of shirking its responsibility by leaving the Governor's political package intact for lawmakers to amend.
Noting that the meet-the-public sessions hosted by the Governor, Mr Chris Patten, and debates attended by senior government officials were part of the consultation exercise, Mr Leung said the public had now expressed opinions different to those of the Governor.
Mr Leung said: ''Now the public has expressed different opinions, should the Government first conclude this consultation and, based on that, put forward a package of proposals . . . to the Executive and Legislative Councils? ''Whether or not Exco and Legco are satisfied with the conclusion of the consultation and amended package was another matter,'' he said.
His comments came during a motion debate calling on the Government to stall the Governor's political reform package.
Mr Leung added: ''As a responsible executive-led government, the administration should not shed its responsibility for concluding the consultation and initiating amendments.'' He said the Government had not given an account of its reasons for not amending the Governor's proposals.
''This is an irresponsible act which is really unacceptable,'' Mr Leung said.
Mr Leung, a member of the conservative Co-operative Resources Centre (CRC), said Legco had a responsibility to point out this irresponsible act, otherwise legislators would be blamed for a dereliction of duty.
