Page 4462 - Week 14 - Thursday, 9 December 1993
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MADAM SPEAKER: I think that is severely testing the limits of what a supplementary question is, Mrs Carnell, but I will permit the Chief Minister to answer it.
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, I do not accept that there has been any incompetence whatsoever. I can assure members opposite that we are capable of reading the Canberra Times and, indeed, private correspondence for ourselves.
Visiting Medical Officers Dispute
MR LAMONT: My question is directed to the Deputy Chief Minister in his capacity as Minister for Health. Will the Minister inform the Assembly as to progress in negotiations held today with the Australian Medical Association?
Mr Kaine: This will be a fulsome response.
MR BERRY: As always, Mr Kaine, it will be a fulsome response. Today, Madam Speaker, I met with the AMA and discussed the issue of their contracts for the fourth time. We were able to establish those areas of disagreement that developed in the wake of last evening's meeting. I am currently developing a response to the AMA's position and I hope to be able to make an announcement soon.
ACTTAB - Contract with VITAB Ltd
MR DE DOMENICO: Madam Speaker, my question without notice is to the Deputy Chief Minister in his capacity as Minister for Sport. Minister, in responding to a question in the Assembly on Tuesday last, you said:
It is a public company, and Tony De Domenico can do a search through the ASC company records, if he wants to confirm that.
Is it not true that VITAB is a private company registered in Vanuatu? Is it not also true that Vanuatu is, as the Bulletin said this week, a tax haven? Noting that in the Assembly this week you also confirmed that you had sought the advice of Treasury and the Law Office, has either the Treasury or the Law Office advised you of the unintended opportunity VITAB must open up for tax avoidance and money laundering?
MR BERRY: The operation of VITAB in Vanuatu is a matter for the Vanuatu Government, not the ACT Government. There are a few other issues that need to be addressed in relation to the VITAB matter, and they go to the criticisms of the agreement, which have obviously been fostered by members opposite. VITAB has been established to tap the large and underdeveloped Asian gaming market by utilising Australian technical support and betting pools.
Mr De Domenico: Is it a public company or a private company?
MR BERRY: These are factors that are very interesting in the context of this question. VITAB does not seek business from within Australia - - -
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