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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 1 Hansard (28 April) . . Page.. 60 ..

MS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I have to say that I am concerned at this question. I am concerned at the question for a number of reasons. I will go on to answer it; but the basis of this question comes from a private briefing that I gave those opposite - - -

Mr Quinlan: From a Prime Television interview.

MS CARNELL: From a private briefing. Those opposite know perfectly well where it came from, Mr Speaker. This is not about the operating loss; this is about how it actually comes about, and I will explain that very definitely. Mr Speaker, I started in this Assembly with the view, which we have taken all the way through, that it is always appropriate to make sure that information is available to all members of the Assembly, even if that information is confidential, in an attempt - - -

Mr Quinlan: On a point of order, Mr Speaker - - -

MS CARNELL: It is a true statement, and I would be embarrassed too.

Mr Quinlan: Mr Speaker, I am referring to a statement made publicly on Prime Television by the Chief Minister, and I would like her to answer the question.

MS CARNELL: There is no point of order, Mr Speaker; but it does show that confidential briefings are a tiny, weeny bit difficult to give to those opposite.

Mr Corbell: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: The Chief Minister is making an accusation against Mr Quinlan which is entirely untrue. Mr Quinlan's question is based entirely upon a television interview that Mrs Carnell gave last week. It is in no way relevant to the point she is making now.

MR SPEAKER: There is no way that the Chair can judge this. Mr Quinlan has indicated that it came from a Prime Television interview; however - - -

Mr Quinlan: That is true.

MR SPEAKER: I am a little concerned as to how you can necessarily answer the question, Chief Minister - - -

MS CARNELL: I am very happy to answer the question, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Because I hope that it is not an expression of opinion.

MS CARNELL: No. Mr Speaker, I can certainly explain the operating loss for ACTTAB. There is no doubt about that, Mr Speaker. I will just be interested to hear what the supplementary question is.

Mr Speaker, as we know, ACTTAB is operating in a very difficult market. There is no doubt about that. There are almost daily changes that present themselves - shall we say, new threats, new opportunities - for the future of organisations such as our TAB Australia-wide. Mr Speaker, with regard to the actual financial position of ACTTAB, ACTTAB is projecting an operating loss of approximately $1.5m this year.

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