Page 4442 - Week 14 - Thursday, 1 December 1994
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Chief Minister's Office - Media Adviser
MR CORNWELL: Madam Speaker, my question is to the Chief Minister. I remind Ms Follett that, following the departure of Mr Roy Forward from her office in July 1992, this statement was made by journalist Hugh Lamberton in the Canberra Times on 25 July 1992:
The most offensive part of this week's revelations is that the ACT taxpayer is being asked to pick up the bill for an error in political judgment.
I now ask: In light of the $136,000 blow-out in ministerial staff expenditure last year - that is, 1993 - is it a normal arrangement for the Tourism Commission to pay two-thirds of an officer's salary and for the other third to be funded out of your Executive budget?
Mr Lamont: Madam Speaker, I rise to take a point of order, not only because of the nature of the question, but also because of the standards adopted by this house. When Mr Cornwell was absent from this house because of illness, there was no point made by the Government or any other member of this Assembly. The reasons for the departure of the former staff member in Ms Follett's office should not be something which is allowed to be debated, discussed and ridiculed by questions such as those asked this afternoon.
Mr Cornwell: Madam Speaker, on the point of order: The question is not reflecting on any issue of that officer's departure. I am not in the least bit interested in that personal matter. What I am concerned about and what the Liberal Party is concerned about is the funding of the mechanism. That was my question to the Chief Minister.
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, I am absolutely appalled. These hypocrites opposite are all very ready with the phone calls, the flowers, the visits to hospital and so on; but, the minute it suits them, they turn and attack. It is about as grubby as politics ever gets. Madam Speaker, I have no detail on the method of payment of Mr Veldre. I will ask the Commissioner for Public Administration and I will advise members.
Trash and Treasure Market
MS SZUTY: My question without notice is to the Minister for Urban Services, Mr Lamont. Earlier this afternoon I advised the Minister that I would be asking this question. I understand that the Minister's department has offered a three-year agreement to Belconnen Rotary which will enable the Jamison trash and treasure market to continue to operate at their current site on Sunday mornings. Can the Minister confirm to the Assembly that this is, indeed, the case and can he inform the Assembly as to the terms and conditions of this agreement and whether it is likely to be extended?
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