Page 2488 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 23 August 1994
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MR DE DOMENICO: I have a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Chief Minister, would the interference of a trade union, or any other external group, in the selection process of any public service appointments constitute corruption, in your opinion?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, I have said that the first part of Mr De Domenico's accusation - I will not refer to it as a question - is completely untrue. The second part, therefore, does not arise.
Fire and Emergency Services Contracts
MS SZUTY: Madam Speaker, my question without notice is to the Minister for Urban Services, Mr Lamont. I refer to Gazette No. 28 of 20 July 1994, which shows ACT Fire and Emergency Services contracts for Tiger Gel Extender shoes, tracksuits and professional exercise equipment with a combined value of $89,550. Can the Minister inform the Assembly why Fire and Emergency Services are spending such a large sum of money on running shoes, tracksuits and exercise equipment?
MR LAMONT: In answer to Ms Szuty's question, I do not have that detail in front of me. I will undertake to provide her with an answer to that before close of business this day and to have the answer subsequently tabled in the Assembly.
Government Service - Appointments
MR HUMPHRIES: Madam Speaker, my question is also to the Chief Minister. Is the Chief Minister aware that, on the day after the appointment of the new head of the ACT Government Service, senior left wing union officials and Trades and Labour Council officials were heard to openly boast that they had been responsible for stopping one of the candidates from being selected? The Chief Minister has told Mr De Domenico in the Assembly that no particular union official delivered any ultimatum to her about a particular appointment. Can the Chief Minister guarantee to the Assembly that union officials did not lobby or exert any improper influence on her Ministers or her in the decision not to appoint Mr Jeff Townsend to the position of head of the ACT administration?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, I got confused as to where the gossip began and ended there. I think it started with, "Were you aware", and the answer is, "No, I was not". I think it ended up with, "Is it true or is it not true that there was undue influence on you or Ministers involved in that decision?". The answer has already been given: No, there was not.
MR HUMPHRIES: Madam Speaker, I have a supplementary question. My question was, "Did any such officials lobby or exert any improper influence on her or her Ministers in the appointment of that particular person?".
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