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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 8 Hansard (28 August) . . Page.. 2613 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

I would have thought everybody in this place, and everyone in the ACT, would be very pleased and would possibly be throwing their hands up in joy on this one. This is one of the most important projects likely to happen in the ACT over the next 10 years.

MR CORBELL: I have a supplementary question. Chief Minister, from your statements, does this mean that Canberrans can look forward to a train set led election campaign from the Liberals next February, a bit like the one that the people of South Australia and the Northern Territory are currently enjoying? Can you also clarify what Mr John Sharp, the Minister for Transport and Regional Development, meant about the Commonwealth's involvement when he said in a letter to you in April that the Commonwealth has not indicated a preparedness to fund the process for the development of a very high speed train and, "As I consider current processes are proceeding at a sensible pace given the complexity of the issue and the involvement of three governments, I suggest there is little to be gained from a meeting at this stage."? Chief Minister, can you explain the contrary attitudes of the Federal Minister for Transport and the Prime Minister, and can you explain whether or not we are going to have a train set led election campaign?

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I think Mr Corbell brought to this Assembly so many frivolous points of order that he did not listen to my answer. I believe it is important, if Mr Corbell is so interested, to run through the cancelled meetings. Mr Speaker, my understanding is that the release of a detailed call document has been delayed while New South Wales agencies attempt to resolve and prescribe a number of project issues. The intergovernmental project control group meets at a minimum each month to resolve any issues between governments. The meetings of 23 July and 20 August were cancelled by New South Wales, for whatever reason - - -

Mr Corbell: I take a point of order, Mr Speaker.

MRS CARNELL: This is the question you asked.

MR SPEAKER: What is your point of order this time?

Mr Corbell: Mr Speaker, I think you should suggest to the Chief Minister that she be cautious about suggesting that those meetings were cancelled. If she checks on - - -

MR SPEAKER: There is no point of order, Mr Corbell.

Mr Corbell: They were postponed, not cancelled.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Corbell, if you wish to make a statement you can do so in the adjournment debate. I will not tolerate frivolous points of order.

Mr Humphries: Mr Speaker, I suggest to you, with all seriousness, that that point of order could not in any way have been another mistake by Mr Corbell. He deliberately purported to take a point of order when, in fact, he was making a debating point, and he should be called into line.

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