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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 7 Hansard (22 September) . . Page.. 2027 ..

Mr Moore: Queensland did too.

MR STANHOPE: Queensland did later. In the first round it was the ACT and Mrs Carnell that created the first hole in the dyke. This is what I do not understand. This is why I am seriously and genuinely concerned about this. Mrs Carnell was the only State leader to get into bed with Dr Wooldridge. Mrs Carnell is the only State leader that Dr Wooldridge embarrasses in this way, ignores in this way. This is a matter of the most significant importance, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: The member's time has expired.

Mr Moore: We do not give extensions on MPIs.

MR STANHOPE: Had I realised that I would have spoken faster, Mr Speaker. I will conclude on this sentence. This is a matter of grave moment and we need some genuine answers here. We do not need beating of breasts and we do not need Ministers saying, "I have a great track record on this". We do not need Ministers standing up and saying, "You cannot doubt my credentials". On this we can, as we have on the methadone program. It is time to put up, Mr Moore. You are the Minister. This Territory needs you. We do not need pious claims. We do not need you standing on your record. We need some action on this. We have been let down. Your silence over the three weeks between the announcement by Dr Wooldridge and your first public utterance on this leaves a very worrying question mark in our minds about your capacity to deal with these issues.

MR MOORE (Minister for Health and Community Care) (4.16): Mr Speaker, I am absolutely delighted that Mr Stanhope has raised this matter of public importance today. Indeed, it is a matter of significant public importance. I suppose it is disappointing for me that these grants were announced so close to the Federal election and that this issue is seen, as Mr Stanhope has portrayed it, as an election issue. Mr Stanhope, I would hope that you would stay in the chamber, because I want to answer some of the questions you raised. (Quorum formed)

I am disappointed that this was done in the context of a Federal election, but I must say that it has much less effect on me than it does on either my government colleagues or those opposite. What Mr Stanhope challenged me to do is quite right. He challenged me and the Government by asking why we do not have the resources, the clout, the pull to have some impact on this area. He asked why we do not have the resources, the clout, the pull to ensure that the ACT is looked after with funds under the national illicit drugs strategy. Is that a reasonable representation or simplification of what you raised?

Mr Stanhope: And credibility.

MR MOORE: And you said that my credibility stands on that. Mr Stanhope, you will be very pleased to hear that because of the number of times I have approached Dr Wooldridge and Mrs Carnell has approached Dr Wooldridge we have good news for you. The good news is that there will be funds for a youth rehabilitation program and that

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