Page 2704 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 21 November 1989
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in fact, have complied with the provisions of the electoral Act, and will continue to do so.
Section 19 Development
MR JENSEN: Mr Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister for Industry, Employment and Education. I refer the Minister to an article entitled "Canberra Casino - Decision expected by June" in the Weekend Australian of 18 November 1989, in which considerable reference was made to the role of Federal Cabinet in the selection of a developer for the project. Could the Minister clarify for the members of the Assembly the role of the Federal Government in the selection process?
MR WHALAN: I have not seen the article and, having had it drawn to my attention, I would appreciate the opportunity to see it at some time. But I can inform the Assembly and Mr Jensen that the Federal Cabinet has no role whatsoever in the selection process. The selection process has already been outlined in a detailed statement, and I think the reading of that will show that there is no role for the Federal Cabinet whatsoever in the selection process. I can only assume that it is an error on the part of the author of the article.
MR JENSEN: I ask a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. I presume that the information by the press was gained from a document that is now being handed out in Civic Square, which has been authorised by Canberra Association for Regional Development and a number of other organisations. It says:
The Civic Square proposal will be presented to the Federal Parliament in the near future.
I wonder whether that might help throw some light on it. I am quite happy to pass this across to the Minister.
MR WHALAN: Mr Speaker, the Canberra Association for Regional Development is an organisation which reflects the interests of the private sector in the ACT. It is an organisation for which I have a great deal of admiration because I think it contributes positively to the general discussion about the economic development of the ACT. We do consult quite frequently with CARD. However, the Government has no responsibility for any information which is supplied by CARD and for which it claims the authorship. One hopes that it will ensure that whatever information is contained in its pamphlets is correct. But if that is the source of the material and if there is reference there to its being referred to Federal Cabinet, it is patently incorrect.
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