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Hansard . . Page.. 841 ..

Mr Humphries: By whom?

MR BERRY: Consult your Whip. He was talking to you on the phone.

Mr Humphries: That is not true. He said that we would give leave.

MR BERRY: I was present and it was clear that leave was not going to be given for the Greens to pursue this course. I, for one, having agreed with the approach which has been taken by the Greens, do not see any particular problem with dealing with it now. It is a matter of some import to the people of the ACT.

I accept that the ministerial statement is about an important issue as well; but it would not be the first ministerial statement that has been delivered late and, if Mrs Carnell chose to do so, it would not be the first ministerial statement that was tabled and incorporated in Hansard. If it is so important that that matter be dealt with in this Assembly today, we would have no objection, if it needs to happen right now, to Mrs Carnell seeking leave to table it and to incorporate it in Hansard. As far as this issue is concerned, it is one that Labor has been concerned about for a long time. We think it deserves a great deal of weighty discussion because it is an issue which is of concern to many thousands of people. We will be supporting the move by the Greens to bring the matter on as a matter of some urgency.

Question resolved in the affirmative, with the concurrence of an absolute majority.

Proposed Appointment

MS HORODNY (3.24): I move:

That:

(1) A select committee on the corporatisation of ACTEW be appointed to inquire into:

(a) the most appropriate structures for the public utility providing energy, water and sewerage services for the ACT to ensure:

(i) accountability of ACTEW to the Legislative Assembly and the community in relation to planning and conduct of activities;

(ii) ACTEW maximises the potential to meet the environmental local, regional and national obligations of the ACT, including meeting greenhouse reduction targets and the downstream impact of sewerage services; and

(iii) social equity in pricing of services.

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