Page 893 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 20 March 2012

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MS PORTER: A supplementary.

MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Porter.

MS PORTER: Chief Minister, at the event attended by the Prime Minister you announced a number of other important supporters of our forthcoming centenary celebrations. Could you bring the Assembly up to date on these corporate partners?

MS GALLAGHER: Thank you, Ms Porter. As members would know, we have put significant resources as a local community into our centenary celebrations. We have put in, I think, around $20 million. The commonwealth have also put in about $26 million, 20 for the arboretum—

Mr Hanson interjecting—

MS GALLAGHER: Well, Mr Smyth seemed to be enjoying the arboretum when he was up there the other day, albeit we had to put a tent up there and offer him champagne. But he did come; he was spotted. Mr Smyth and Gary Humphries will not go out there unless there is champagne and a tent.

Mr Smyth: On a point of order, Mr Speaker—

MR SPEAKER: Stop the clocks, thank you. Mr Smyth, on a point of order.

Mr Smyth: Mr Speaker, anyone who knows me knows that I do not drink champagne. I would ask the minister to withdraw that slur. It is actually a lie. I did not drink champagne. I never drink champagne.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, I think it would be most appropriate if you undertook to make a personal explanation after this, if you feel the need.

Mr Smyth: But you cannot lie. She said to the Assembly that I was drinking champagne. That is not true.

MS GALLAGHER: Mr Speaker, I am happy to withdraw that. My words will be: he came when it was catered. It was a catered event. There was a tent and there were Liberals in the tent. It is the only time we have had them there. We have had heads of state and indeed royalty up there. That did not get any of them up there. We have had leaders from the United Nations. That did not get them up there. We have had leading Australians. That did not get them up there. But a tent and some canapes will get them up there. That is what we will do next time.

MR SPEAKER: Chief Minister, the question, thank you.

MS GALLAGHER: Thank you, Mr Speaker. We do welcome the commonwealth’s support for the arboretum. As everybody in this place knows, and indeed the Liberal opposition knows, the arboretum is and will be one of the main attractions of this city in years to come. I know that the Liberals will at some point support the arboretum


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