Page 1663 - Week 06 - Thursday, 13 August 1992
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Mr Cornwell: The question is about the report on the future directions of secondary colleges, Mr Wood.
MR WOOD: I am sorry; I did not listen, I confess. I was talking about high schools because I have been focusing quite a deal on high schools just lately and it is very much in the front of my mind. The report on secondary colleges is in the course of preparation. It is not yet complete. It is not yet in the position to be tabled within the education division, but it is pretty well advanced. I will find out and give you a more detailed briefing.
ACTEW - Community Criticism
MR MOORE: My question is to Mr Connolly as the Minister for Urban Services. ACTEW has threatened a representative of a community group with a defamation writ for speaking up against ACTEW practices in South Tuggeranong. Is the Minister aware of the action? Can he explain why a government body for which he has responsibility would use its power and financial advantage in an attempt to silence community criticisms in this way?
MR CONNOLLY: No organisation that I am responsible for would ever attempt to silence community criticism. However, if individuals make allegations of criminality and corruption that are totally baseless, they should expect ACTEW to treat them in the same way that any of us would treat them. I see no absolute bar to any government organisation, any Minister or any individual seeking recourse to the law of defamation if individuals make allegations that are extraordinarily wild and impute corruption and illegality to bodies. That I find justifiable. It was a management decision of ACTEW.
I understand that a solicitor's letter has been written to this individual. This individual has made wild claims to my office, accusing me of all sorts of corruption and criminality. He has said that the Mafia controls me, Building Control and ACTEW. If he chooses to make these wild and woolly statements, I am afraid anyone is entitled to take legal action against him. I can certainly say to the individual that, if he is silly enough to say such things publicly against me as an individual, he will get a letter from me, just as he has got a letter from ACTEW.
MR MOORE: I ask a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Normally, Minister, if such an action were taken it would also be taken against the publisher of the material, the radio or television station, for example, that broadcast the complaint. In this case, of course, that was not done. That indicates that it was an attempt to silence the individual rather than to resolve the problem, does it not?
MR CONNOLLY: That asks for an opinion, and I will not give an opinion. I will simply say that ACTEW, as a commercial organisation, have made a decision that they do not have to tolerate individuals accusing them of extraordinary criminality and illegality, and I see nothing wrong with that. Community debate and discussion is something that we foster.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .