Page 1459 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 26 September 1989
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be green and beautiful, too, and we could all join the Keep Australia Green campaign. We are already using second-hand water, and I would not like it to be said that we are not.
As for turning off the sprinklers when it is raining, I have already made that same inquiry. I find out that by the time you have sent a man out, paid him overtime, organised to turn it off, the cost of it is so incredible it is better to let the sprinkler go.
Mr Jensen: Have you not heard of automatic systems?
MRS GRASSBY: Yes, we have them, but to put in a whole new system is going to cost us millions. You are already complaining about what we are spending in my department; you have already told me we cannot spend this in the budget. So, if you want me to spend millions more putting in a whole new watering system, of course we can do it, and we have got one that works all right at the moment. Other than that, after all, ACTEW is only a year old and I consider that it has done an incredible job in the time. We, among all the cities in the world, still have some of the cheapest water and electricity and some of the most efficient. So far as I am concerned, I am sure there is not a department in Canberra that cannot be smartened up, but I think ACTEW have done a very good job. Of course, there are things that can be made better, and that is proved in this parliament. There are a lot of things that could be done better over there in the opposition. You cannot expect ACTEW to be that perfect.
Mr Collaery: We are taking fluoride out of our water.
MRS GRASSBY: Yes, so you tell me. You know, I am prepared to take your word for it, after all. Obviously that is why you were all having dinner at the Rex tonight. To think I nearly joined you! My God, I could have been at the fluoride dinner - how about that!
Mr Kaine: It does not cost as much as the Hyatt, Ellnor.
MRS GRASSBY: No. I could not afford to go to the Hyatt either, not unless somebody else was paying. Anyway, Mr Speaker, I do not stand here to defend ACTEW, but I consider that ACTEW has done an extremely good job. I consider that its corporate plan is a very good plan. It is like the slogan I once saw on a milk bottle in America that read, "Our cows are not contented. They wish to do better". Well, ACTEW is not contented, and wishes to do better. That is all I would like to say about ACTEW, Mr Speaker.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
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