Page 1930 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 24 October 1989

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environmental statement - admittedly before he was the Minister?

MS FOLLETT: I thank Mr Wood for the question. Yes, I was annoyed by the media reports that I heard about this matter but I think that, as it involves, in essence, a government to government issue, it is best treated in that way. I have received no formal advice from Senator Richardson or from the Federal Government that an EIS is required, or that they would favour an EIS, should I say. I have seen, in fact, nothing other than the media reports of this matter. As it is, I believe, a government to government matter, I think it is more appropriate that I wait for such a formal approach from the Federal Government. When that occurs I will be happy to discuss the matter with the Federal Government.

National Aquarium

MR COLLAERY: Chief Minister, you are nevertheless aware that your Federal counterpart, Senator Richardson, has called for an environmental impact statement by your Government, preferably, on the fish farm. Are you further aware that the departmental documents referred to in recent publicity relate to a trout farm and other proposals going back to 1986-87, with no relevance at all to the scale and the nature of the current development?

MS FOLLETT: Mr Speaker, I do consider that I have answered that question. As I have said, I believe it is a matter to be discussed between the Federal Government and the ACT Government. As I have said in my previous answer, I have seen media reports of Senator Richardson's call for an EIS but I have received no formal approach whatsoever. As Mr Collaery points out, a great many of the decisions concerning this project were taken long before there was an ACT Government, and I believe that it is appropriate that I should wait until there is some sort of formal approach.

MR COLLAERY: Chief Minister, in view of the response, is it the proposal of your Government to refer all environmental concerns of this nature affecting the ACT to the Federal Labor Government?

MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Collaery. I think that is a matter of policy.

Aspen Island

MRS NOLAN: My question is to Mrs Grassby as Minister for Housing and Urban Services. I am sure that Mrs Grassby knows where Aspen Island is. Was a survey carried out by her department last Sunday at Aspen Island; what was the purpose of the survey; what was the sample taken, given the


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