Page 9 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 16 February 1993
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I ask the Chief Minister: Where does the Government draw the line in such cases? Are there any guidelines? If there are no guidelines, will the Government ensure that guidelines are drafted to clear any doubt in the mind of the community regarding any perceived conflict of interest? I say that because such guidelines would protect both the public interest, and the perception as well, and the people involved in those developments.
MS FOLLETT: I thank Mr De Domenico for the question, Madam Speaker. To answer the last part first, yes, there are guidelines. As far as I recall, they are in the Cabinet Handbook, and they are certainly used by the Government in making any appointments of the nature of the chair of ACTEW. So yes, there are guidelines, and they are followed by the Government.
In relation to the particular article in the newspaper this morning, I have been assured by officials that the fact that Mr Phillips is the chair of ACT Electricity and Water has no impact on negotiations around this particular project. As a result, I do not propose to do anything about the article, unless I receive further advice. I understand that negotiations on the proposed joint venture are at a quite advanced stage and that those negotiations are taking place between the ACT Housing Trust and a company called Bobundra and that Mr Phillips is one of the directors of Bobundra. I further understand that Mr Phillips has appeared before the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Infrastructure, which approved the variation to the Territory Plan to enable this project to proceed. Madam Speaker, as far as I am concerned there is no conflict. There are guidelines that are used by the Government, and unless something further comes to my notice I will not be taking the matter further.
MR DE DOMENICO: I ask a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Can I clarify the situation by saying that I was well aware that Mr Phillips was involved because I was a member of that Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee. I ask the Chief Minister to let the Assembly know what these guidelines are, and perhaps table them. That might help the situation. If there are guidelines, let us have a look at them. Mr Wood said:
Whether Mr Phillips should be frozen out of development is another matter.
I would like to know what the guidelines say. Who is and who is not allowed to be involved?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, I undertake to inform members on those guidelines.
HomeBuyer Loan Program
MRS GRASSBY: My question is to the Minister for Housing and Community Services. Can the Minister inform the Assembly of any changes to the ACT HomeBuyer loan program?
MR CONNOLLY: I thank Mrs Grassby for her question. Members will recall that in the week before Christmas this Assembly passed amendments to the Housing Assistance Act which allowed the Housing Trust to engage in off-budget borrowings - and there was some debate as to what that meant, Mr Cornwell.
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