Page 2631 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 24 August 1994
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How could you then know that the New South Wales contract was such a good contract? You have implored me over the last six or seven weeks to sign the New South Wales deal. You said that it was a better deal.
Mrs Carnell: Just like the Racing Club.
MR LAMONT: Yes, they too. Their comment was based in ignorance. Their comment was based in ignorance of what was contained therein. You, Mrs Carnell, allegedly have had some inside information. Otherwise, why would you, in the process of negotiating with Victoria, come out the way you have? What I will say to you is this, Mrs Carnell: It is apparent that you have spoken to the office of the New South Wales Minister.
Mrs Carnell: After that went out. Yes, I said that.
MR LAMONT: Let us say between some time on 17 June and 15 July. You have admitted that you phoned the New South Wales Racing Minister's office. You have acknowledged that you have interfered. You have acknowledged that you have attempted to interfere in that process. It can be judged as nothing else. Your interference, Mrs Carnell, and the political interference of Mr Downy in those negotiations is absolutely reprehensible. You have implored me to enter into a contract with New South Wales and you stood here no more than 25 minutes ago and lambasted the Government for signing a deal that had no out and was deleterious to the ACT.
Mrs Carnell, if there is any fault on this side of the Assembly in relation to this matter, you have committed exactly the same sin. You have committed exactly the same sin in imploring us to sign a contract with New South Wales that would not be in the interests of the TAB. Let me quote to you, Mrs Carnell, what your contract with New South Wales would have meant to the ACT, what your preferred option would have meant. This is signed by Chris Downy, MP, and I quote:
In addition, my approval is subject to my receiving undertakings from the responsible Ministers in the ACT and the NT of their commitment to the prohibitions contained in Clause 8 of the draft contracts (with the exception of 8.1(b) in the ACT contract) -
which was in relation to telephone betting -
and to those Ministers agreeing to the establishment of working parties to be convened at my instigation to inquire into and report on the advantages and disadvantages of off-course services in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory being contracted out to the NSW TAB, such working parties to commence no later than 1st April and conclude by 1st July, 1995.
Along with the other provisions, you would support that, Mrs Carnell. You support the contracting out.
Mrs Carnell: I do not know. I have never heard of it before.
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