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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 2 Hansard (19 May) . . Page.. 328 ..

MR WOOD (continuing):

Interviewer: On the issue of Hall though did you give a commitment to the local residents to support what a majority of them wanted.

Harold Hird: No I haven't given that commitment.

Mr Hird, do you stand by that statement?

MR HIRD: Speaking as the chair of the committee, I am not sure whether the question is relevant to the committee. I understand that the question goes to my personal assessment as a local member, not as chair of the committee; so I would ask you to indicate one way or the other. However, I was intrigued that the person from the ABC seemed to think that the public meeting, which, as chair, I had called at the request of my committee at 10.00 am, was at 10.00 pm. I had to remind the interviewer on several occasions, unfortunately, that it was not late at night, it was 10 o'clock in the morning.

As to the requirements of the citizens of Hall, Mr Charlie Chuckles over there - Berry Wonderworld - would be well aware that, by the committee's own agreement, I allowed it to listen to the Hall Progress Association's submission. I am pleased to say that the submission was heard by my committee and it took questions on notice which we forwarded appropriately to the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister, I understand, will be responding to those at the appropriate time, when she can.

The sad thing about this is that the cat has been let out and there is no canary. There is no canary at all. They go on some witch-hunt, as they did some years ago with an auction under my name. I am yet to receive an apology from Charlie Chuckles up the back there - the dismal VITAB failed opposition leader. When he comes to grips with the fact that he is now a backbencher he might start to listen to Mr Wood his colleague.

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, I did not ask the question. I am just laughing; that is all.

MR WOOD: Yes, it was my question. Mr Hird did not deny making that statement, which I read here in black and white quite clearly; so I will move on to my supplementary question. Mr Hird, I ask whether it is not true also that a letter prepared in your office before the election and that you proposed for circulation in Hall, referring to the proposed development, stated:

Before that could happen Harold will ensure that every member of our community -

that is, the Hall community -

will be given an opportunity to have a strong say on the proposal.

The views of the local families have already been made known to Harold -

I wonder who worked this letter out -

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