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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 2 Hansard (27 February) . . Page.. 604 ..

MR WHITECROSS (continuing):

one person, and that will be John Howard, their Federal colleague. Mr Speaker, if Mr Humphries's powers of persuasion are so limited and so feeble that he cannot persuade his Federal colleagues that, if they commit the money, then, as indicated in the plain words of our motion, the site will be cleared - if Mr Humphries cannot communicate that to his Federal colleagues - I suggest that he resign now, because that is the most pathetic projection of his ability that I have ever heard.

Mr Speaker, let us not have Mr Humphries suggest to us that, if we pass this motion, it will be our fault if Mr Humphries's Federal colleagues renege on their promise, if Mr Humphries cannot persuade his Federal colleagues to stick by their plain promise to Canberra. There is a reason why Mr Humphries's Federal colleagues might renege on their promise, and we all know what it is. Mr Howard made his promise in December in the lead-up to the Fraser by-election. Of course, the Fraser by-election is over now. They lost that one. So, Mr Speaker, while in December he was very keen - - -

Members interjected.

MR SPEAKER: Order! I know that we are all going off for a month's holiday, but let us settle down.

MR WHITECROSS: Thank you, Mr Speaker. The reality is, Mr Speaker, that Mr Howard brought down this statement in December, when he was trying to soften up the voters in the lead-up to the Fraser by-election by getting them to believe that the Federal Government was not that bad, that it was really caring about Canberra, that it was really in love with Canberra and, Mr Speaker - - -

Mrs Carnell: Mr Speaker, on a point of order: The speaker is actually supposed to address the Chair.

MR WHITECROSS: I am addressing the Chair, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Yes, address the Chair.

MR WHITECROSS: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Before the Fraser by-election, Mr Howard was making this statement. The purpose of the statement has passed. The Fraser by-election is over, Mr Speaker, and now he can renege on the promises. Clearly, that is what Mr Humphries has in the back of his mind. Mr Speaker, if that turns out to be the case, that will be the most cynical piece of politics we have seen in this Territory for some time.

Mr Kaine: Mr Speaker, on a point of order: Can I draw your attention to standing order 302 - overacting.

MR WHITECROSS: Mr Speaker, they are stinging because they know that this is the most cynical piece of politics we have seen in a long time. Mr Speaker, what we are talking about is a prudent use of the Territory's finances, a prudent decision not to spend $8m of the Territory's money until we have seen the colour of the Federal Government's commitment. That is all we are saying - do not spend your $8m until you have made sure that they are spending their $100m.

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