Page 2416 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
MR HANSON: It does go to part of the issue, Mr Speaker, and that is about the accountability of the process, the scrutiny. What I am doing is illustrating the point that when the government, the Labor Party, were previously in opposition, they demanded that this would be the case and said that when they were in government this is the process that they would follow. I think it is entirely appropriate, when we are talking about this deal about Calvary, that I point this out.
What is on the fact sheet? It says:
Labor understands that good government does not bully. It leads.
Good government accepts criticism.
Good government has the courage to allow itself to be closely scrutinised. It conducts its operations in an open, honest and accountable manner, not in secret.
… Labor rejects behind “closed-door” deals and the failure of process—a failure of process that has left a legacy …
I will just read that again: “rejects behind ‘closed-door’ deals”. Clearly, that changed overnight. It has certainly changed somewhat since that statement was made.
Then there is reference to “sinister deals over land development” and “secret deals over parking”. They say further that they will “restrict the use of commercial confidentiality in government contracts”. The whole reason that this has been kept behind is commercial confidentiality. They have said that they will “release cabinet papers after six years”. I certainly look forward to them doing that. They said that they will “ensure government records, and records of decisions, are properly kept”; we are struggling to find any record of the decisions that have led to a point where it looks as though a deal is going to be signed on something that is going to have such a huge impact on the future of Canberra and on our budget.
Ms Gallagher: It is going to have no impact on the future of Canberra, you fool.
MR HANSON: It is going to have no impact?
Ms Gallagher: No impact. Nothing will change for the people of Canberra.
MR HANSON: We are spending $100 million and nothing will change! You are going to have to explain that one to me later in your response, minister.
Ms Gallagher: I will; you have an inability to understand simple concepts, Jeremy.
MR HANSON: Nothing is changing? It sounds like a lot of money to spend on nothing. What you are asking the opposition to do is sign off on a deal that we do not have the facts on just because we should trust you.
Ms Gallagher: I am not asking you to do anything.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .