Page 1001 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 15 March 2005
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MR MULCAHY: I have a supplementary question. Minister, can you indicate precisely how many radiation therapy positions—that is, radiologists and radiation oncologists—are currently vacant in the ACT? When were the funds that you referred to appropriated for the new equipment outlays?
MR CORBELL: I think that the funds were appropriated before you became a member of the Assembly, Mr Mulcahy. I think that it is an ongoing capital program, but I am happy to get the details of that for you. In relation to the vacancies, as I have indicated, we are planning for four radiation oncologists and we currently have three. In relation to radiation therapists, I will take the question on notice and provide the information to Mr Mulcahy.
Environment—lower Cotter catchment
MRS DUNNE: My question is to the Chief Minister and Minister for the Environment. I refer to the CSIRO’s rejection of your claim in a media release of last Friday that one of its senior scientists, Dr Peter Hairsine, offered support to your government’s management of soil and water quality in the lower Cotter catchment. I refer more specifically to your claim that Dr Hairsine had criticised his former colleague Dr John Williams. To use the words of your own press release, did you indulge in “mischievous reporting” and “post facto” commentary to deliberately foment dissension between colleagues at CSIRO in order to cover up your inadequate handling of the lower Cotter catchment?
MR STANHOPE: No.
MRS DUNNE: I have a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. Since it is evident from the press reporting that Dr Hairsine did not give permission to broadcast his words, would it be fair to infer that political point scoring was your highest priority in your press release?
MR STANHOPE: No.
Policing—motorcycle gangs
MR PRATT: Mr Speaker, my question, through you, is to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mr Hargreaves. Given the level of community concern expressed about the Rebels motorcycle gang and its activities in recent days, why have you failed to show leadership in tackling outlaw motorcycle gangs in the ACT?
MR HARGREAVES: I did see this coming. Clearly Mr Pratt’s utterings on this issue are merely designed to further scare people of the ACT. The facts clearly did not get in the way of a good story by Mr Pratt about the alleged dispute involving some members of the Ulysses motorcycle club and the Rebels motorcycle club. Indeed, I would suggest this: if Mr Pratt has evidence, facts that he can put before the police, to back up his assertions, then I challenge him to do so. In fact, I would remind him that it is an offence to withhold that sort of information.
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