Page 2287 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 1 November 1989
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at the way in which this issue was originally put before the committee for its consideration. Allegations were made by a member of the committee, Mr Moore, in substantially the same terms as those raised by Mr Donohue in respect of the project. The issues were raised, not privately with me as chairman of the committee but publicly in the media, and claims which the committee, including Mr Moore, now acknowledge to be substantially discredited were made against the project.
I think we would do well, Mr Speaker, to bear in mind the responsibility which we carry as members of this place. We enjoy privileged positions and from those privileged positions can do great damage to reputations without necessarily being held as accountable for our comments as other members of the community might be. It is my sincere hope that in future members of the Assembly do not adopt a "shoot first and ask questions later" approach, but rather raise matters of concern within the context of the committee's capacity for self-referral as a port of first call.
I want to put on record my sincere hope that nothing which has transpired in these proceedings has acted to permanently damage or smear the reputation of either Mr Da Deppo or the project which he has called the National Aquarium. I have to say I was very excited by the concept and implementation of the project and sincerely hope that it is as much of a success as I believe it has the potential to be.
Finally, I want to put on record my thanks and appreciation to the secretary of the committee, Ms Peta Roberts, whose indefatigable assistance was always of great assistance to me and, I am sure, to other members of the committee.
MS MAHER (11.12): As a member of the Standing Committee on Conservation, Heritage and Environment, the tabling of this report of the inquiry into the National Aquarium gives me pleasure. I agree with all the recommendations in the report and I hope that the Government implements them at the appropriate times. Mr Humphries has already given a very detailed outline of the history of the project, the reasons why the committee was formed and the recommendations, and really that does not leave a lot to be said. I support all his comments, especially those with regard to the Federal Minister and his statements on the environmental study.
This inquiry underlines the importance of the powers of such committees of this Assembly. There was some speculation concerning the environmental aspects of the project. People had doubts about the viability and the environmental aspects of the National Aquarium, and I feel that this committee has alleviated a lot of that speculation - or at least I hope it has. I am sure that the controls which already exist over the site - including the need for a licence to import fish and for waste
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