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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 5 Hansard (25 August) . . Page.. 1244 ..

Ms Carnell: No, they are an explanation.

Mr Humphries: No, they are not.

MR HARGREAVES: Mr Speaker, may I address my remarks through you and not have to put up with the inane ramblings of those opposite in the meantime?

PRISON SITES IN THE A.C.T. - VALLEY VIEW ARTICLE

MR OSBORNE: Mr Speaker, might I seek leave as chairman of the Justice Committee to speak to the issue raised by Mr Hargreaves?

MR SPEAKER: Yes.

Mr Moore: It was a personal explanation.

MR OSBORNE: I have sought leave. I can talk all I like.

MR SPEAKER: Are you seeking leave to make a statement?

MR OSBORNE: Yes, Mr Speaker.

Leave granted.

MR OSBORNE: Mr Speaker, this issue was debated in the committee a number of weeks ago, and the majority of the members of the committee really have no problem with what happened. I have had discussion with Mr Humphries about it. As chair of the committee, I have complete faith in Mr Hargreaves being able to keep things close to his chest. I am aware of the circumstances behind this. When you compare them with what Mr Hird did last year, I think they pale into insignificance.

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Community Safety and Minister Assisting the Treasurer): Mr Speaker, I also seek leave to make a short statement on the same subject.

MR SPEAKER: Is leave granted for Mr Humphries on the same subject? All right. For continuity, I will allow that.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I will be very brief. I want to put on record a matter that has not been cleared up by Mr Hargreaves's statement. That is the aspersion cast on a member of my office. I am not rising in my own right to make a personal explanation. I am rising on behalf of Mr Keenan. Mr Keenan is actually leaving my employ at the end of this week. He is going to pursue studies at Cambridge University in England, and he goes with my best wishes. He has been a very dedicated and hardworking member of my staff. I do not want him to leave with this cloud hanging over him.

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