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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 3 Hansard (28 May) . . Page.. 732 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

with appropriately by the New South Wales prison system. If you want to debate on the side of the New South Wales gaol system, well, good luck to you. You are pretty much on a losing streak.

Ms Carnell: They are on their own.

MR HUMPHRIES: They are on their own on this matter, Mr Speaker. The fact is that the New South Wales gaol system made a serious error in this matter and they tried to pass off the error by claiming that they had a phone call from the ACT and we had said, "Let the guy go". That obviously did not happen. The smallest amount of commonsense would tell you that that could not have taken place. It is just so stupid. Are these people over here so gullible that they are going to buy that cock-and-bull story, Mr Speaker? Obviously they are.

Mr Stanhope: We are seeking information.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

MR HUMPHRIES: No, you are not seeking information.

Mr Stanhope: Do you know what is going on in your department, Minister?

MR SPEAKER: Order! The person who asked the question is not even in his seat. The rest of it has been interjections, which are out of order. I would ask the Minister to finish.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I think what happened was quite reprehensible. I am quite certain that the ACT did not contribute in any way to the release of that prisoner and that it was quite reprehensible on the part of the New South Wales gaol system. I hope members in this place will join me in expressing concern to the New South Wales gaol system and sending a clear message to the New South Wales system that we do not accept it as acceptable behaviour on its part.

Ms Carnell: Mr Speaker, I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.

MS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I have some further information in reply to a question asked by Mr Kaine with regard to J. Walter Thompson. It is quite long, but I will read it into Hansard. CanTrade initially met with a representative of J. Walter Thompson in August 1996 with a view to advising the Government on developing a brand image for Canberra. As I have mentioned on many previous occasions, J. Walter Thompson were chosen initially because of their experience in branding cities like Atlanta for the 1996 Olympics. CanTrade had further discussions with J. Walter Thompson, including broad industry presentations in October 1996, prior to any contract being awarded.

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