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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 10 Hansard (5 September) . . Page.. 3217 ..


MS McRAE (continuing):

I know that it may not be anyone's intention to give any sort of idea that this Government is stingy - heaven forbid, what a lovely generous government! - but that is the outcome of that particular article. That is what people think; that is the impression that has been given. Quite apart from carrying on about all my supposed point-scoring, Mr De Domenico should settle down and consider finding a way to put on track the notion that Paralympians are not being treated in any way differently from anybody else and to somehow put the whole of the community behind the Paralympian parade, as we all urged him to do yesterday.

Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre

MR MOORE (6.37): Mr Speaker, I rise in the adjournment debate today on the issue of the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre, also known as the sewerage works, and a letter I received today from Mr De Domenico. Mr De Domenico answered a series of questions with reference to a letter I wrote to him on 31 July on overflows from the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre. I must say that I am pleased that the extra reservoir there is now going to be able to be used. We have been waiting for that to come into place so that we will see fewer spills into the Murrumbidgee.

My last question Mr De Domenico answers in this way:

Finally, you queried whether ACTEW is pursuing a defamation action against Mr Alby Schultz on this matter.

Mr Alby Schultz, as you would recall, Mr Speaker, is a member of parliament for the surrounding region, and I wanted to know from Mr De Domenico whether ACTEW had decided to put out a defamation action against a member of parliament who was concerned about his constituents and overflows from the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre. I indicated to Mr De Domenico a couple of minutes ago that I would be asking this question. Mr De Domenico's answer goes on to say:

This is an issue for the ACTEW Board on which I am unable to comment.

When I supported the corporatisation of ACTEW, I also said that, as far as I am concerned, the Minister is still responsible and, if I have a question to ask, the Minister will answer it for me. If he will not, I am quite happy to bring ACTEW legislation back into this place and put it back on the same footing as it was before. If I ask a question, I want a straight answer. Mr De Domenico, the reason I indicated a warning was that I want an answer and I want it in this Assembly now. I believe that we have a right to ask questions and get straight answers.


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