Page 4347 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 30 November 1994
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time, there is a very long process of examination of the tenders. There is a particular group set up to assess, most thoroughly, the tenders that have been received, against a range of criteria - not just competitiveness. For example, we also need to know their ability to obtain an adequate supply of petrol. As is appropriate, I will take advice from those officers when they have completed that examination. Obviously, I will be in touch and in discussion with them over a period. At that time, I will be able to inform the Leader of the Opposition. There is a set of criteria, and I will provide that to her.
MRS CARNELL: I have a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. I asked the Minister to define what to act competitively actually means. What does he believe acting competitively means, how is he going to assess it, and how is he going to assess that this particular independent will act competitively for the 99 years of the lease?
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, it is remarkable that today the Leader of the Opposition stands up and talks about acting competitively. What was she doing last night? What was she doing at this time yesterday? She was standing up and saying, "Minister, don't you dare do anything to act competitively". This is the remarkable aspect of the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr De Domenico: What does it mean, Minister? You are the responsible Minister. What does it mean?
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, Mr De Domenico! The Minister will answer.
MR WOOD: Mr De Domenico is a barometer, Madam Speaker. The more noise he makes, the more difficulty the Opposition is in.
Mr Humphries: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The Minister has been asked a simple question. He was asked what criteria he is going to use for an important matter. Will he give us the answer or not?
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Humphries, as I have repeatedly called for order, it would be courteous if the Opposition remained quiet. Then perhaps we would discover whether Mr Wood will or will not answer the question. While I cannot hear the answer I cannot rule on that point of order. Let us have some quiet.
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, Mr Humphries is also a barometer. Every time he jumps to his feet you know that the Opposition is under some pressure. So, we have a couple of barometers there. The most remarkable aspect of this Opposition is how the Leader of the Opposition - I use the word "Leader" because that is her title - can jump from spot to spot, even within the same day. I think she has an absolute cheek to talk about competitiveness, because yesterday she was wanting to close down competition. Yesterday she did not want to know a thing about it. Madam Speaker, I have answered Mrs Carnell's question.
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