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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 14 Hansard (11 December) . . Page.. 4701 ..

Mr Moore: Exactly. That does not allow him to answer the question as he likes. He still must be within that standing order.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Humphries is answering the question as he sees fit. It might be a little long winded. Nevertheless, he is getting back to the point that Mr Moore raised. I am quite sure of that.

Mr Berry: I raise a further point of order, Mr Speaker. I am glad you have acknowledged that it is becoming a little bit long winded.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you. Sit down, then.

Mr Berry: Does that suggest, Mr Speaker, that in accordance with the standing orders he has had sufficient opportunity to answer the question?

MR SPEAKER: No. Resume your seat.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I am sure that when the interjections and the points of order are taken out this answer will be seen as very concise and directly to the point of the question. Mr Speaker, the fact of the matter is - - -

Mr Moore: Mr Speaker, if I can raise a point of clarification - - -

MR HUMPHRIES: If I can be allowed to answer the question, Mr Speaker - - -

Mr Moore: Mr Speaker, can I have clarification of your comment? You said that Mr Humphries has been a little long winded. Does "long winded" fit within your definition of the word "concise"?

MR SPEAKER: Mr Moore, you know that Ministers can answer as they see fit. Continue, Mr Humphries. There is no point of order.

MR HUMPHRIES: I can see, Mr Speaker, that members are not really interested in getting this information. They would rather avoid it if they could. The information that we have made available to shopkeepers is very important in putting in place a strategy to revitalise those centres which other members in this place have had completely nothing to do with in the last few years.

The variation that Mr Moore referred to was released as a draft for public comment in June of this year. That was not very long after the Government initially announced its plans for a whole range of retail policies that I have just referred to and that he was so upset hearing about. Seven written submissions were received in response to the draft variation. Issues raised in the submissions have been considered by the Planning and Land Management Group, and a consultation report is being prepared. It has been suggested that the variation be amended to allow for uses such as electrical and lawn-mower repair services at local centres. I do not have a great problem with that in theory. These uses are generally considered to be included under the service trades

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