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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 8 Hansard (25 October) . . Page.. 2021 ..

MRS CARNELL: We are discussing losses of revenue under Ms Follett; we are discussing a $10m shortfall, which is somewhat different from a $600,000 smaller than expected return on a particular auction. I think land sales are very similar to taxi plate sales. There was a huge shortfall in those sorts of areas. Was that the Government's fault? No, it was not; it was the market's fault. And that is exactly what we have here today. I think the whole approach Ms Follett took in that first question, suggesting for a moment that $600,000 was the Government's fault, really reflects on her. What did Ms Follett do about the $10m-plus shortfall we saw last year? Nothing.

MR WHITECROSS: Mr Speaker, my question without notice is to the Minister for Urban Services, Mr De Domenico. Minister, last week in the Assembly you confirmed that the disposal of government property was part of your portfolio responsibilities. Can you now confirm that 18 months ago Harold Hird and Associates Pty Ltd was awarded a 12-month contract to dispose of obsolete computers, furniture and other equipment previously owned by the Department of Health? Can you confirm that the contract has not been relet, even though the initial contract has expired, and that Harold Hird and Associates Pty Ltd is still disposing of goods on behalf of the Department of Health? Minister, why was the tender not relet after the expiry date?

MR DE DOMENICO: I thank Mr Whitecross for his question. It is true that the Department of Urban Services is responsible for setting out the basic guidelines that all government departments should follow. However, I am not able to answer the technical questions asked by Mr Whitecross about that contract, because I am not the Minister for Health. I will check Mr Whitecross's allegations - I am sure that the Chief Minister and Health Minister will check with her department as well - and come back with the answers Mr Whitecross wants. I will take it on notice and come back tomorrow, if I can. If you would like to put it on notice, if you want a detailed answer, we will give you a detailed answer.

MR WHITECROSS: I ask a supplementary question. I take it that what Mr De Domenico did was take the question on notice?

MR SPEAKER: As I understood it, yes.

Mr De Domenico: That is what I said.

MR WHITECROSS: You seemed to be engaging again in that game of saying, "You put it on notice". I am asking you to take it on notice. Minister, can you also advise us when the tender for the disposal of obsolete computers, furniture and other equipment will be relet, or can you ask your colleague the Chief Minister to advise when that tender will be relet? Will you confirm that the process will be a fair and public one?

MR DE DOMENICO: Between us - the Chief Minister, who is the Health Minister, and me - we will make sure that the questions Mr Whitecross has asked will be answered.

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