Page 822 - Week 05 - Thursday, 6 July 1989
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Elisabeth Frances Daly of 24 Willis Street, Evatt, the witness being a Mr Donohue, solicitor. Presumably he is the member of the Katharine West party whom we know so well.
A member: President.
MR WHALAN: The president, is he? He is the president of the Katharine West party. Having read the statutory declaration which Mr Collaery has tabled, my reaction is that it contains no allegation about any behaviour on my part. I am sure that, when members have the opportunity to look at the statutory declaration which was read by Mr Collaery, reasonable members will agree that I cannot be held responsible for statements allegedly made by third parties.
I should say, Mr Speaker, that it is interesting that this flaccid document is the only new thing that Mr Collaery has been able to produce in a tedious four and a half hour ramble. I dare say that the Canberra Times may present it differently, and that will be regrettable, but I have not come to expect the highest standards of reporting of the proceedings in this place from the Canberra Times.
I reiterate the statement I made yesterday: To the best of my knowledge - and I am almost prepared to leave that phrase out - I have never discussed the casino project with Mr Da Deppo. I reiterate the answer that I gave to a question which was asked of me in the chamber last week by Mr Collaery, to which he, in his repetitious manner, referred no less than a dozen times during his ramble today. It was the question that he asked about donations from Wollongong Constructions Pty Limited. I state again: I have never solicited or received any donation or payment from Mr Da Deppo, Wollongong Constructions or any other company or individual associated with Mr Da Deppo and/or his companies, for the ALP, let alone for myself.
I have checked with the secretary of the Australian Labor Party in Canberra. The one contribution which has been made by Wollongong Constructions was the purchase of a ticket - one ticket - to a fundraising dinner which was held prior to the election campaign. The essence of the allegation in this statutory declaration is that Mr Da Deppo has claimed to have been awarded or promised the casino contract.
From my knowledge, that allegation is false, but it is so bizarre as to be incredible. Members who are familiar with the processes by which major projects are let will know that the steps are systematic, involve thorough scrutiny by expert officials and are conducted at arm's length.
Mr Collaery: I hope so.
A member interjected.
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