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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 8 Hansard (26 August) . . Page.. 2431 ..

MR BERRY (continuing):

Yesterday, in answer to Mr Corbell's question about Fay Richwhite and Associates, you stated that you were happy to employ them and that they are "of very good standing". Are you aware that Fay Richwhite and Associates were found to be in contempt of the Davison Commission in New Zealand ...

You did not mention that in your press release. Would you like us to apologise for that too? No, thank you. The question went on:

a commission which was investigating the Cook Islands tax scams - and fined $15,000 for spying on the head of the New Zealand First Party, Winston Peters, while he was giving evidence to this inquiry. Chief Minister, are firms who hold the law in contempt and sneak around filming politicians who are giving evidence at commissions of very good standing?

Mr Speaker, this brings me back to the issue. The issue here is whether or not this Government checks the probity of these companies before employing them to carry out important work on our major assets. No, they do not. All they were driven by was the knowledge that this organisation, Fay Richwhite, is an organisation which prepares government instrumentalities for privatisation.

Mrs Carnell: Rubbish!

MR BERRY: That is the only criterion that it had to fulfil.

Mrs Carnell: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: Mr Berry is not speaking on the issue whatsoever. The issue here quite categorically is that Mr Berry and Ms McRae stated that these companies were guilty of tax rorts.

Ms McRae: We said "were involved in". Quote properly.

Mrs Carnell: I am very happy to quote exactly what was said. They were involved in tax rorts to the extent - - -

Ms McRae: "Involved in". Repeat that, Mrs Carnell.

Mrs Carnell: And the answer is that they were not involved. They were found to be absolutely innocent, Mr Speaker.

Ms McRae: They were involved. That is not true.

MR BERRY: That is not true. Mr Speaker, the Chief Minister will have a chance to speak again. I thought that that was an argument - - -

MR SPEAKER: And I will listen carefully to the argument that you are putting; but I am aware, and you are aware, of the motion of censure.

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