Page 3117 - Week 14 - Thursday, 7 December 1989
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Mr Humphries: We had the good grace to give you time to get your act together.
MR WHALAN: No. It was the fact that at that point of time there was no business. But what is the situation now, Mr Speaker? Let me show you the notice paper. It is 294 pages long. That is a slight exaggeration. It is one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight pages long. There is a notice paper, eight pages long, and on that notice paper is a whole range of fundamental issues which can be raised and debated within this chamber. That range of issues includes issues dear to the heart of particular members of this Assembly.
I draw your attention, Mr Speaker, to notice No. 2 in private members' business. Now, notice No. 2 in private members' business, Mr Speaker, is a motion by me, and Dr Kinloch will be interested in this particular motion. This particular motion acknowledges the need to increase and diversify the opportunities for employment in the ACT. There is not one person in this chamber who would disagree with that sentiment. Is there? Hands up. No-one. No-one, Mr Speaker - not one person - would disagree with the sentiment of that first paragraph of that motion. It is quite clear that it is non-contentious. With the figures about employment, I do not think there is any single person who would deny that when the Civic Square redevelopment project gets under way it is going to create thousands of jobs - 2,700 jobs.
Dr Kinloch: Well - - -
Members interjected.
MR WHALAN: Mr Speaker, it is obvious that there could be some disagreement on the number of jobs created. Of course, it is impossible to predict the exact number of jobs that would be created by this particular project when it does get under way. But then, of course, it is the third part of the motion which is going to cause problems because it is going to tear apart the gang of 10. Mr Speaker, it will tear apart the gang of 10 because it seeks a declaration of support for the redevelopment of Civic Square, including the construction of a casino. We know, Mr Speaker, that there are irreconcilable differences within the gang of 10 on this particular issue.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Whalan, this is the third or fourth time you have repeated that. I draw your attention again to standing order 62. It is tedious repetition.
MR WHALAN: The point is, Mr Speaker, that it really worries me. I feel sorry for Trevor - for Mr Kaine - on this particular issue because I do know from personal conversations that I have had with Mr Kaine of his firm commitment to the casino project. It is clear and unequivocal. Mr Kaine is a person who is convinced of the
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