Page 637 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 21 March 1990
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proposed sale of the Gowrie Hostel by the Commonwealth which was mentioned by my colleague, Mr Stefaniak, in a question to the Chief Minister this afternoon?
Mr Moore: He is making a ministerial statement.
MR COLLAERY: Mr Speaker, I assure the voice from the pillar that this is not a ministerial statement. It is clear that I need to add to the Chief Minister's response in terms of the legal advice available to me from the Law Office. It is also clear that a most significant event is in train which may well result in our first high-level challenge to the Federal Government. The fact is that - - -
Mr Berry: Why do you not do a ministerial statement, instead of soaking up our question time.
MR SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Berry: My apologies, Mr Speaker.
MR COLLAERY: The fact is that I sought advice and am seeking advice in relation to an extraordinary letter which was not brought to the attention of the then Opposition or Assembly people to my knowledge. It was dated 10 August 1989 and was from the Minister for Administrative Services, Mr West, to Rosemary Follett as Chief Minister. That letter, inter alia, mentioned that the Government intended to look forward to "your Government's cooperation in bringing to fruition a proposed redevelopment of the Gowrie site which will open up new possibilities for accommodation, commercial and other interests."
That was not brought to our attention and I understand from talking to residents at Gowrie that they, at around that time, received notice to get out. Some of those people, including a Mr Bruce Morgan, were low income tenants. Mr Bruce Morgan is now housed by the Housing Trust. More to the point is the law. The ACT Self-Government (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988 requires that the Minister, that is the Federal Minister responsible for the Territory, "shall transfer or cause to be transferred ... all assets and rights of the Commonwealth that, in his ... opinion, relate to Territory functions". Providing accommodation is clearly in that context, a Territory function. More to the point is the fact that the ACT (Planning and Land Management) Act requires - as my colleague Mr Kaine indicated - the Government to announce its Territory purpose. On my advice the Federal Government is now caught further still by the certification of the national plan.
Mr Moore: On a point of order, Mr Speaker; 118(a), states that questions are to be concise and confined to the subject matter.
MR SPEAKER: Objection overruled.
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