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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 3 Hansard (24 March) . . Page.. 805 ..

MS CARNELL (continuing):

Now as the process is reaching conclusion Mr Kaine has introduced legislation which will frustrate the process and destroy years of work in pursuit of a legitimate commercial objective.

At our meeting you indicated that although the ALP had devoted considerable energy to cultivating the support of Mr Kaine in his new role as an independent MLA and that you were loath to alienate this support by voting against Mr Kaine, you felt that as a matter of principle there was strong argument against the Kaine proposal, and you would express this view to the Labor caucus.

Mr Corbell: When have you ever believed what Paul Whalan said?

Mr Quinlan: You know who you are getting into the boat with now, folks.

Mr Stefaniak: I want to hear it.

MR SPEAKER: Order! This is important.

Mr Corbell: I am sure Paul Whalan does not have a vested interest.

MR SPEAKER: Order, please! Look, you are not in a party meeting now, trying to shout down somebody on the other side. That goes to both sides.

MS CARNELL: The letter continues:

It was with considerable dismay that we received advice that caucus had decided to support the Kaine legislation.

It is difficult to reconcile your words of encouragement to the HIA, with your actions in opposition to the Casino. One can only conclude that the party is willing to abandon principle in the hope of some future support from Mr Kaine.

Until such time as the ALP in the Assembly distances itself from the other non-government members of the Assembly, and establishes itself in the eyes of the community as a party of principle rather than a party of opportunism, you will have no prospect of electoral success.

Mr Speaker, the letter does come from Paul Whalan. The last time I checked, Mr Paul Whalan was a former Deputy Chief Minister in this place in the first Labor Government, a colleague of Mr Berry and Mr Wood. Well, Mr Speaker, there you have it. You have two alternatives here, or two issues. One of the things you can gain from this particular letter is that Mr Stanhope's leadership is worth nothing. Mr Stanhope saw considerable problems with Mr Kaine's legislation, Mr Speaker, but was willing to put the considerable problems with the legislation aside on the basis of political

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