Page 1704 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 3 May 2011
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Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Thank you, members.
MR CORBELL: They do not like it, Mr Speaker, but it is, of course, the truth. And in so many things—
Mr Coe interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Coe!
MR CORBELL: those opposite are quite prepared to throw the truth out the window if it does not suit their political argument. But the fact is that the independent pricing regulator is responsible for determining the price, the prudent and efficient price, for the delivery of energy and water to our community—not the government but the independent pricing regulator. And the formula that is put together is the formula that is put together by the regulator.
The government believe that the formula is in need of updating, and that is a matter that we will be pursuing further with the independent regulator. But we will do so in a way which has regard to their statutory independence, to their legislated obligations, and the fact that it is they, not the government, that determine the ultimate price of energy and water in this city.
MRS DUNNE: Supplementary question, Mr Speaker?
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mrs Dunne.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, do Canberra families have a right to feel angry at the more than 200 per cent increase in the cost of water over the last 10 years?
MR CORBELL: I would pose an alternative question in response, Mr Speaker, and that is that Canberrans will be angry—
Mrs Dunne: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I did not ask him to pose an alternative question.
MR CORBELL: You cannot tell me how to answer the question, Mr Speaker.
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order, members! This is really intolerable today. Mrs Dunne, you have a point of order.
Mrs Dunne: I asked the minister a question and it is not within his purview to tell me what question I should have asked. His job is to answer the question directly.
Mr Hargreaves: On the point of order, Mr Speaker, the question was put by Mrs Dunne to Mr Corbell, the minister, and I would believe that it is in fact within the
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