Page 557 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 June 1989

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .


We discussed the Nature Conservation (Amendment) Bill and the Water Pollution (Amendment) Bill and I have in the diary "Residents Rally, Bernard, 7 pm", on 23 May. I understand Bernard was not there. My staff have a feeling it was not Bernard, that Michael Moore came, but we are not sure that it was Michael Moore.

Mr Collaery: We look alike.

MRS GRASSBY: No, you do not look alike at all. He has a beard and he is better looking, what is more. Exactly after that I have "Liberals, Stefaniak, 7.30 pm". I am sorry if Mr Stefaniak came instead of Mr Humphries, but the appointment is there, and the staff said it was discussed with him. At 8.30 am on 24 May I have "The No Self Government". I understand that Mr Stevenson's office was rung, but nobody could get in touch with anybody so that he also could be informed, as we are very much trying to have collegiate government.

MR HUMPHRIES: I have a supplementary question. Is the Minister saying that Mr Stefaniak was actually there at 7.30 pm on 23 May? Mr Stefaniak says he was not.

Mr Stefaniak: Yes, I was. Yes, I was there. Do not worry about it.

MRS GRASSBY: I am sorry. Mr Stefaniak was given the appointment, and whether he turned up I cannot quite remember, but my staff say that he did. They said he did turn up and that he sat in on the Bills. So did Mr Moore and so did both Ms Maher and Mr Duby. I have got it written in the diary; I am sorry.

Mr Stefaniak: Not water conservation. I went to something else at your office, but not that.

MR SPEAKER: The question has been answered.

Natural Gas

MR WOOD: I direct a question to the Minister for Industry, Employment and Education. Is he aware that AGL is proposing to stand down a large number of contractors from 1 July if the Government does not approve a gas price rise? What comments can he make on this?

MR WHALAN: I thank Mr Wood for the question. It is a fact that the distribution of natural gas in the ACT is a right and a privilege which is enjoyed by AGL. It is a profitable business undertaking for which the evidence suggests that it has never paid any franchise or any fee for the right to distribute gas throughout the ACT. It has written to the Government seeking the Government's approval for an increase in the price of gas to consumers. We believe that it is proper that the Government give careful


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .