Page 3693 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 26 August 2009

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course, conscious that there will be considerable increases in the cost of energy over the coming years as a result of a range of developments. Of course, it would be more helpful if we knew exactly what the implications were from the introduction of an ETS if the Greens had actually voted to put in place an ETS. But because they are not prepared to support the model, it makes some of the modelling somewhat difficult, because we do not know what is going to come out of the commonwealth parliament.

Alexander Maconochie Centre—NSW prisoners

MR HANSON: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Corrections and is in relation to accepting prisoners from the surrounding New South Wales region. Minister, in 2001, when you were the shadow spokesman for Corrective Services, you were reported in the Canberra Times as saying:

… prisoners from regional NSW should be housed in the proposed jail to help subsidise building costs.

And further:

… the ACT Government had squandered an opportunity to negotiate with NSW on the issue.

Minister, have you started negotiations with the New South Wales government on this issue? If not, why not?

MR HARGREAVES: I thank Mr Hanson for the question again. I have answered the question before in this place. Mr Hanson has asked in this place before, “Have you started talking to the New South Wales government? If not, why not?” I said to him at the time, “No, I haven’t, but I will do in the fullness of time when the procedures and the processes of the AMC have been settled down and have been put in.”

Mr Hanson: You thought in 2001 when we were planning for this that it was squandering an opportunity not to speak to them.

MR HARGREAVES: Mr Speaker, in former times in this place the good offices of the Speaker put up with just so much and promptly warned people. You have been good enough not to warn anybody in the time you have been Speaker, and I think that has been appreciated by most members, but I would urge you to give that serious consideration. I have answered this question before. Yes, that is—

Mr Hanson: Are you giving him his speaking notes, Andrew?

Mr Barr: This could cost us the 2001 election, Jeremy!

MR HARGREAVES: This could cost us the 2001 election! Mr Speaker, I have said it before in this place, and if Mr Hanson asks me the same question again in a month’s time I am going to say, through you, to Mr Hanson, “I have already answered the question.” Then I am going to sit down. He is on notice from me, through you, that that is going to happen.


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