Page 1336 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 10 May 1994
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Telecommunications Towers
MRS GRASSBY: Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning, Mr Wood. Is the Minister aware of the telecommunications tower being constructed on Mount Rogers, and what is being done about it?
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, I am aware. It is certainly the case that such towers are reasonably obtrusive although, contrary to some views put out, it is not a mini Black Mountain Tower. They rise to a height of 25 to 30 metres, and they are certainly most noticeable. I became aware of the possibility of such towers some considerable time ago when I was the chair of ANZECC, the council of Ministers for the environment and conservation around Australia. On their behalf, and as the ACT Minister, I protested most strongly to the Prime Minister of Australia on the provisions in the Telecommunications Act which allowed Optus, or indeed any telecommunications carrier, to override the provisions of any State or Territory government or of any local authority. All Ministers across Australia believed that this was highly undesirable and should not occur. We all collectively and individually protested most strongly about it, but to no avail. That Telecommunications Act is in place and - - -
Mr Humphries: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I understand that the question that has been asked by Mrs Grassby is already on the notice paper. In fact, question on notice No. 1261 is in almost identical terms to the one that Mrs Grassby has asked. I understand, therefore, that it would breach standing orders to have this question answered in this way now.
MADAM SPEAKER: There is nothing to prevent anyone from asking a question that is on the notice paper. It is not business pending consideration by the house. However, there is a practice in the House of Representatives that members do not ask questions without notice if in fact the questions are on the notice paper. It really is in the hands of the Minister. I will let him proceed to answer the question, having noted that your question is on the notice paper, Mr Humphries.
MR WOOD: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I suppose it is a matter of style. Mrs Grassby is very much an activist. She is out there doing things, whereas Mr Humphries was prepared to take some time to do it. I commend Mrs Grassby for her manner of approach, one we all know well. I think the facts are now well known. We do not have the power to stop Optus or any other telecommunications carrier from doing that.
There is a further problem. They have the power to go onto people's property over extended distances and drill holes in the ground or drill long channels to lay their cables if that is the means they choose to use. The problem is not just towers; it is also access to property. It is highly undesirable. We do not like it. At this stage we have not been able to change the approach of the Commonwealth Government. If it happened here - and we probably would not agree that it should happen - we would require that there be at least a preliminary assessment, public consultation and the process that members here know quite well.
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