Page 1342 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 10 May 1994
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Canberra Airport
MR MOORE: Madam Speaker, my question is also directed to the Chief Minister and also deals with the possibility of an international air terminal in Canberra. What strategies do you propose for environmental protection and the protection of the amenity of people in the areas that are likely to be affected?
MS FOLLETT: This is a question that definitely needs to be considered, Madam Speaker, if there is a decision to go ahead with planning for an international airport. There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that we would need to conduct full environmental and social impact studies before we could proceed along those lines. The area that I live in is under the current flight path. A large increase in the amount of traffic, particularly traffic through the night, would undoubtedly have an impact on me and my neighbours. We also have to bear in mind that Canberra Airport is one of the few airports that currently do not have a curfew, so at least in theory flights could occur 24 hours of the day, as I understand it. Obviously that has the potential to have a huge impact. They are probably some of the most important issues that would need to be considered.
Domestic Garbage Collection Tenders
MR CORNWELL: Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Deputy Chief Minister in his capacity as either Minister for Urban Services or Minister for Industrial Relations. I suppose it is both, really. Is it true that a prospective tenderer for domestic garbage collection has been requested to provide an agreement from the Transport Workers Union before its tender is considered? Is it usual practice for this Government not to consider tenders unless sanctioned by the unions? Thirdly, is the Minister further aware that there is a potential saving of over $2m over the period of the contract, and will he now intervene to ensure that the tendering process is not hijacked by the union movement, to the detriment of ACT ratepayers?
MR LAMONT: I thank Mr Cornwell for his well-prepared question. It is interesting to note that from this side I cannot see the letterhead that the question was written on. I certainly hope that it is not the letterhead of any of the eight companies that, I am informed, have in fact responded to - - -
Mr Cornwell: It is a question without notice.
MR LAMONT: It is good to see that your word processor takes the letterhead off your papers before you bring them down here. I am extremely concerned about what may be an attempt by Mr Cornwell, in asking his question in this way - at least this is the implication of his question - to pervert the process which is quite properly entered into by this Government for the assessment of contracts. Not only is Mr Cornwell questioning whether the process adopted by this Government - a proper process - for the assessment of tenders should be followed; he is suggesting that somehow I, as Minister, should intervene in the assessment of tenders. I reject that notion, Mr Cornwell. All Government members reject that sort of notion and will simply not be party to it.
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