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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 2 Hansard (19 May) . . Page.. 336 ..

MR KAINE: I ask a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. When I asked you that question before - and you seem to be right; the numbers do change from time to time, depending on when I ask the question - I also asked you a couple of other questions. One was would you ensure that people going to the shopfronts to get these numberplates were given the option. You said they should be offered that option. I also asked whether you would have some signs put up so that those people walking into a shopfront would know immediately they walked in that they had the option available to them. You said you would take that suggestion on board. According to the Canberra Times, again on 16 May:

In the method under which new plates are issued, motorists are automatically issued with the "power" plates unless they nominate otherwise.

That is the very opposite of what you have suggested to me is the case. I ask you again: When do you intend to make sure that, in the shopfront, people are told up front that they have an option? Secondly, since you indicated a willingness to take on my suggestion about signage, when do you intend putting the signage up, because there is none there yet?

Mr Stanhope: Good question!

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, it is a good question because I think what the Hansard will actually show is that I said I would consider Mr Kaine's suggestion. In consultation with the department and with the Motor Registry, we have decided that the process is fine as it is. It is curious that we have the quoting of different figures at different times and in each case - - -

Mr Stanhope: Give up on it now.

MR SMYTH: No, Jon; you have to listen because when I said that the figures were at a certain point in April they were at a certain point in April. When I said that they were at another point in April they were at another point in April. Now I quote you figures as of 19 May, and those are the figures as of 19 May. But the issue is that you - - -

Mr Kaine: Would you address my supplementary question, Minister?

MR SMYTH: I am attempting to do so. I have considered your request and I am quite happy with the process as it goes on at the moment. I think people in Canberra are well aware of the choice of plates because we have offered them the choice of plates.

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

MR SMYTH: No; let me finish.

Mr Kaine: What the people of Canberra are well aware of, or not well aware of, does not address the undertaking that the Minister made to me three weeks ago, and on neither count has he honoured his undertaking.

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