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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 1 Hansard (18 February) . . Page.. 33 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

I take the view that it is not inappropriate to appoint Mr Hyles in those circumstances. If Mr Moore says that an association of this kind ought to disqualify members from holding office, I would be grateful for his formulation of how that should work. Many people may be shareholders in companies that inflict environmental damage. Is that a connection which Mr Moore would think to be a disqualifying - - -

Mr Moore: This is a small company with that kind of involvement, and you know it.

MR HUMPHRIES: It is a small company, yes; but Mr Hyles, as far as I am aware, has not involved himself in any matters that gave rise to an offence in the Land and Environment Court. I cannot hold him responsible for an action for which a court has found only his father to be responsible.

MR MOORE: I have a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. In the light of these issues, Minister, surely you would have to reconsider your position as to whether Mr Hyles should continue as a member of this task force, particularly as to whether it is an appropriate appointment to be made at the same time as your colleague Mr De Domenico was sacking Jacqui Rees from the Kingston Foreshore Development Authority for simply being critical of government.

MR HUMPHRIES: That is a very long bow, Mr Speaker, I have to say. No, I am not going to reconsider that appointment. The Rural Lessees Association put forward names. I think they put forward three names originally. I accepted two of those names. I must say at the time I was not aware - - -

Mr Moore: So it was your decision.

MR HUMPHRIES: I was given a choice. Obviously, I could have rejected them all, if I had chosen to. I had no knowledge of Mr John Hyles Senior's conviction at that stage, if indeed it had been recorded by that stage. This conviction was recorded in July. I am not sure whether the appointment was made before July; but, assuming that it was made after July, I was not aware of the conviction. Even if I had been aware, I am not sure that I would have necessarily inflicted the sins of the father on the son.

MR WOOD: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, will you explain why you have imposed an interstate union official on the board of Totalcare to represent the views of an ACT work force? Can you explain how Mr Costa, who resides in New South Wales, will be across the issues facing the workers of Totalcare? Given that the majority of the work force has condemned the appointment of Mr Costa and called on him to resign, will you now replace Mr Costa with a local union official?

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