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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 8 Hansard (26 August) . . Page.. 2445 ..

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, the industry advice, as I explained in my first answer, was the Richard Glenn and Associates report. That was an independent consultancy which was put in place and which was asked for in order to be able to meet the timeframes on Acton Peninsula.

Mr Berry: In 1995.

MRS CARNELL: I just said it. No; by June 1996 was the timeframe that we had to implode the buildings by.

Mr Berry: No; when did you get the advice?

MRS CARNELL: It was actually early 1996, from memory. That advice was accepted by the Government; but the process was never advanced even to expressions of interest, let alone calling for tenders at that stage. That advice was already on the table.

Mr Whitecross: Mr Speaker, on a point of order: Mrs Carnell, in answering Mr Berry's supplementary question, has just indicated that this report was provided to the Government in February 1996. In answer to Mr Berry's original question she said that the Glenn report was the informal advice they took to a meeting in December 1995. Was this the advice they had in December 1995 or was it not the advice? You should be concerned about the procedures in this house.

MR SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Resume your seat. We are in question time. If you wish to pursue the matter you will have the chance.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, as I said, I am not confident as to when the Glenn inquiry - and that was exactly what I said - was actually put in place. I just said that. It came after, as I said, mid-1995 when the Federal Labor Government determined that they wanted the site on Acton Peninsula. Quite simply, that is the case. The Glenn consultancy was put in place. This document has gone to the inquirer and to the coroner already. The Glenn consultancy indicated that implosion would have to be used to meet the Federal Labor Government's timeframe of June 1996. With regard to the meeting at Eagle Hawk, the comments that I made then are the comments right now. There was butchers paper around the room and people were talking about what was appropriate or what could happen to change Canberra, to get jobs moving and so on. One of the comments made at that stage was that the hospital on Acton Peninsula would have to be got rid of, bombed. The reality is that those opposite - - -

Mr Hird: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I would suggest, under standing order 39, that you take appropriate action against that rabble opposite. I am trying to hear the answer from the Chief Minister.

MR SPEAKER: There is no point of order. I will watch the matter.

MRS CARNELL: Again, the comment was made that the Acton buildings were going to have to be got rid of. Those opposite knew that as well. That was the outcome of that particular meeting.

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