Page 2146 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 21 June 2011
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MRS DUNNE: You wait. You will get your five ideas. But you have to sit through this first. The Treasurer knew of these cost blow-outs, and she did nothing about it, by her own admission in answers to questions in estimates over two successive years, and answers to questions on notice. We have seen that she did nothing about these things. The result of this and other things is that we have now seen a 200 per cent increase in the cost of water since ACT Labor came to power, and that cost is continuing to increase. When the full cost implications of the borrowings that Actew will have to make to build this dam come through the system, we will see at least another $100.
The Chief Minister asked for some advice, things that she should do to show that she is open and accountable. First, Chief Minister, you need to apologise to the people of Canberra for the outrageous statements that were made on your behalf in August 2008. When you find that you have done something wrong, the first thing you need to do is admit that you are wrong. A lie was told to the people of the ACT. The minister said: “I never said it, somebody else said it.”
Mr Corbell: Mr Speaker, a point of order.
Mr Hanson: Stop the clocks, please.
MR SPEAKER: Yes. On a point of order, Mr Corbell.
Mr Corbell: Talk about working out a way to get around the standing orders, Mr Speaker. It was a very clear accusation. The suggestion is either the Chief Minister lied or was complicit in somebody lying. That is an improper imputation on the part of Mrs Dunne. She knows it is out of order. She should again be asked to withdraw her disorderly comment.
MR SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne, do you have any comment?
MRS DUNNE: On the point of order, I said that a lie was told to the community. If the Attorney-General wants to draw an imputation from that, that is up to him, but there is no imputation. It is a clear fact, Mr Speaker, that things were told to the community that were untrue.
Mr Corbell: On the point of order, Mr Speaker, it is in reference to the accusation Mrs Dunne has raised earlier in her speech about a statement made she claims either by the Chief Minister when she was the relevant minister or by her office. It is quite clear what the imputation is. She knows it. That is why she is saying it. It is out of order. She should be asked to withdraw it.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Corbell. Whilst I think, Mrs Dunne, that you have sought to frame it in a clever way, given the earlier debate, I ask you to withdraw and perhaps find a different way to frame it.
MRS DUNNE: I withdraw, Mr Speaker. The other things this minister needs to do to set the slate clean are to table the Costello report; ensure that ministers provide vital advice to the Assembly, such as the advice in relation to the commonwealth Water
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