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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 6 Hansard (22 May) . . Page.. 1598 ..

MR WHITECROSS (continuing):

Mr Speaker, I make this observation without prejudice to the question of whether particular expansions go ahead or not. It is interesting to observe, Mr Speaker, that the proposed expansion of the Hyperdome, which the Liberals have such a set against and which has been so widely debated in the community, would still leave the Hyperdome smaller than the Belconnen Mall but servicing a larger population. I think there is a lot of chaff in the air on these issues. I think it is important, when we get down to the analysis of these things through the planning process, that we look at them in a clear-headed way.

Mr De Domenico: What about 24-hour shopping?

MR WHITECROSS: I do not think we do that with arbitrary things. Mr De Domenico says, "What about 24-hour trading?".

Mr De Domenico: That is what Ms McRae said. Do you agree with that?

MR WHITECROSS: Mr De Domenico, there are businesses trading 24 hours a day now and there are customers. No-one makes them do it. They do it because they want to do it.

Mr De Domenico: But Ms McRae said that the Labor Party believes in 24-hour trading. Does it or does it not? You are the leader. Tell us. Are you the leader or aren't you?

MR SPEAKER: Order!

MR WHITECROSS: Why should not a business which is allowed to trade 24 hours do so if they believe that it is in their commercial interest?

Mr De Domenico: That is a cop-out, Mr Whitecross. You are the leader. Tell us what you think.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

MR WHITECROSS: Mr Speaker, if Mr De Domenico wants to take away from customers choices which they currently have, then good luck to him.

Mr De Domenico: No, I am not saying that. I am asking: What is the Labor Party's policy? Do you know?

MR SPEAKER: Order! This is a debate, not a free-for-all.

MR WHITECROSS: I look forward to his policy announcements in relation to that matter.

MS HORODNY (12.03), in reply: I have to say that what I have heard here today has been absolutely pathetic. The Labor and Liberal parties once again are going weak at the knees when it comes to big business. I suppose that I could have expected it. I am very pleased that Mr Moore supported and, indeed, moved to amend my motion. I think it was a very sensible amendment, but unfortunately it has not been adopted either.

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