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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 12 Hansard (12 November) . . Page.. 4020 ..

MR SPEAKER: The second part of the question is out of order. There is a clear imputation in that.

Mr Corbell: Under which standing order, Mr Speaker?

MR SPEAKER: Standing order 117(b)(iv).

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, what was the imputation?

MR SPEAKER: The imputation was that there was something improper between Lend Lease and the Government.

Mr Berry: No; there was merely a question asked about Lend Lease approvals.

MR SPEAKER: I said the second part of the question was out of order. If you choose to answer the first part, Chief Minister, it is up to you; though I have forgotten what it was, actually.

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, I insist that there was no imputation in the question. There was merely a question after facts, and it would be appropriate for the relevant Minister to provide them.

MR SPEAKER: I would have to disagree with you on that, Mr Berry. I rule the second part of the supplementary question out of order, but the Chief Minister can answer the first part if she wishes.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I have to say that the dates that Lend Lease applied or did not apply, or that it was approved, are not in my portfolio area; but I can guarantee that the process was done under the appropriate legislation. I think Lend Lease would suggest that the process took longer than they would have liked it to take. Again, I make the point, although I should not have to, that there were no deals with Lend Lease - in fact, I do not believe there were ever any discussions with Lend Lease property people locally - with regard to Mr De Domenico's job.

Mr Berry: Except the character approval.

MRS CARNELL: That was with Sydney. That was not local. Mr Speaker, imputations are being laid not only at Mr De Domenico's feet but also with AWS, Lend Lease and whatever. I do not believe that that is acceptable, particularly as those opposite appear to have no evidence. They could not have any evidence at all, Mr Speaker. They are only using this place to have a go at companies about which they have absolutely no evidence.

Mr Speaker, I think it is important here to read onto the record the statement by Mr De Domenico on 31 January.

Mr Whitecross: Who wrote that - your office or Mr Humphries's?

MRS CARNELL: Mr De Domenico does not put out on his letterhead things that he does not agree with. The statement reads:

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