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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 9 Hansard (2 September) . . Page.. 2742 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

Mr Wood asked me whether legal action by the Morris group might be possible if the proposal is either knocked on the head by the consultation process or substantially changed and reduced in development value to the developer. This issue was canvassed in the documentation that was tabled at the very beginning of this process. It was made clear there that the Government would not be and could not be guaranteeing that the ultimate outcome would be the right to develop that site. A great deal depended on the way in which the consultation process and other environmental assessments under the Land Act were conducted. There were no guarantees that at the end of the day there would be any right to develop that site.

Obviously, if ultimately there is no development or a substantially changed development on the site, the Government could entertain applications from the Morris group to be compensated. But that is entirely a matter of the Government's grace and favour; it is not a matter that the applicant has any right to obtain. I hope that that will not be necessary, because I hope that the preliminary assessment process will lead to a satisfactory outcome from the point of view of not only the Government and Morris Consolidated but also the community.

MR WOOD: I ask a supplementary question. I thank the Minister for that answer. Can I assume from that answer that it is open for you to withdraw your conditional offer and not proceed, or indeed to make another offer to some other party?

MR HUMPHRIES: I would need to take advice on that question. If I were to withdraw the offer unilaterally and make an offer to somebody else, there may be a problem in respect of compensation. I honestly could not say. I am happy to take advice on that matter and advise Mr Wood further.

Mr Wood: Would you, please?

MR HUMPHRIES: I will seek advice on that. As far as withdrawing the lease is concerned, obviously we are dependent on the process outlined in the Land Act. If that produces an unsatisfactory outcome, then clearly there is no comeback by Mr Morris or his company. If the Government decide to pre-empt the process in some way, there may be a different outcome. I could not say, but I will get advice about that and let Mr Wood know.

MRS LITTLEWOOD: My question is to Mrs Carnell in her capacity as Minister for Business and Employment. I refer to a statement made in the Assembly by Mr Whitecross, the then Leader of the Labor Party, on 8 May. Mr Whitecross stated that unemployment in Canberra was set to rise to more than 9 per cent in 1997-98 because of the policies of this Government. Can the Minister advise the Assembly whether this claim has in fact proven to be accurate?

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