Page 2773 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 14 August 1990
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MR BERRY (3.54): We have just heard the most stupid, arrogant and uncaring response to the dilemma and the tragedy that contractors in this city have been subjected to because of the incompetence of the Minister opposite. The very first issue that I wish to deal with is this Minister's reflection on the Follett Labor Government when he said, in as many words, that there was some responsibility to be borne by the Follett Labor Government because they had awarded contracts to R and G Shelley under the stewardship of my colleague Mrs Grassby. I can say to this place and to the people of Canberra that under the stewardship of Mrs Grassby there were no difficulties. I am sure that Mrs Grassby would have ensured that the financial viability of subcontractors who do work for this Government, and through it for the people of Canberra, was checked out.
Mr Acting Speaker, it was on 5 December, a date we all remember well, that this irresponsible and stupid Minister joined with the Liberals and the Residents Rally members opposite to form what they loosely called a government. I think they have demonstrated that it is the loosest form of government that this Territory will ever experience.
Mr Duby: It is relaxed with the Opposition we have got.
MR BERRY: It is certainly relaxed. Mr Duby says that it is relaxed. It is certainly relaxed because it has got a very relaxed approach to the discipline that is required in the management of this Territory's finances.
The stupid finance Minister, Mr Acting Speaker, has allowed a number of subcontractors, I repeat, has allowed a number of subcontractors and their employees to go to the wall because of the mismanagement that he has borne the responsibility for. That has been clearly put on the record by my colleague Mr Connolly. It is a great pity that the chief gorilla, the Chief Minister, is not in what he describes as the zoo to listen to this debate, because it is, after all, his leadership - - -
Mr Humphries: On a point of order, Mr Acting Speaker; I would ask Mr Berry to withdraw the reference to the Chief Minister as a chief gorilla.
MR ACTING SPEAKER: Just a second, Mr - - -
MR BERRY: If it causes the Acting Speaker any difficulty, I will withdraw it for the moment.
MR ACTING SPEAKER: Yes, I think it might be sensible if you withdraw that. Thank you, Mr Berry.
MR BERRY: Mr Acting Speaker, the real issue here is that the Minister opposite, the finance Minister, has failed to keep track of important contracts for the delivery of services in the ACT. He said that there were 46 contracts from the ACT Government - - -
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