Page 2995 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 14 August 2013

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video


Mr Doszpot about funding for water catchment plans under the Murray-Darling Basin management plan:

That funding is now reflected in an exchange of letters between me and Minister Burke and is contingent on the commonwealth accepting a business case on the expenditure of that $85 million.

Will you table the business case and the letters exchanged between yourself and Minister Burke and the business case in the Assembly by close of business today? If not, why not?

MR CORBELL: I am happy to table any correspondence between myself and Minister Burke on the matter. In relation to the business case, the business case is currently the subject of consideration by the commonwealth and it would not be appropriate to release that business case until the commonwealth has concluded its deliberations on the proposal.

MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Ms Lawder

MS LAWDER: Minister, has the federal government given any indications of in-principle support for the projects outlined in the business case?

MR CORBELL: I am advised that at officer level officials have indicated broad support for the business case proposals.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.

MR DOSZPOT: Minister, for how long will funding for these projects be delayed as a result of the ACT failing to reach agreement with the commonwealth on the business case before the start of the caretaker period? When are we likely to see work start on these projects?

MR CORBELL: It is worth pointing out that the government’s business case was submitted well ahead of the commencement of the caretaker period, a number of months ahead of it.

Mr Smyth: Define “well ahead”.

MR CORBELL: A number of months ahead of it, and the government is not able to control or dictate the time frames of federal elections.

MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.

MR DOSZPOT: Minister, when did you submit the business case to the commonwealth and why did you fail to get the business case approved by the commonwealth before the start of the caretaker period?

MR CORBELL: If Mr Doszpot thinks that I am able to compel or force the federal minister for the environment to accept our business case within a time frame of my choosing, he has rocks in his head.


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video