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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 1 Hansard (17 February) . . Page.. 260 ..

MR CORBELL: My question is to the Minister for Urban Services. Yesterday the Minister for Urban Services, in his response to Labor's plan for an independent chief planner for the ACT, accused the Labor Party of wanting to duplicate the planning process by, he said, creating a position which was the equivalent of the Commissioner for Land and Planning. My question, Mr Speaker, is this: Can the Minister for Urban Services indicate whether the Commissioner for Land and Planning has any role in the maintenance of and variation to the Territory Plan, a role proposed to be undertaken by Labor's chief planner?

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, I am not responsible for what Mr Corbell wants to put out. He has flown a kite on a piece of legislation that he is not going to present to this place for at least two months, and I took the opportunity to comment that what Mr Corbell proposes is back to the future. They do not stand for anything for the future so they are willing to go back to the past. The Assembly, with the assistance of the then Labor Opposition, removed this position - - -

Mr Corbell: I take a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Minister must be relevant in his answer. My question, specifically, was whether or not the Minister could confirm or deny that the Commissioner for Land and Planning had responsibility for the maintenance of or variation to the Territory Plan. That is the question, Mr Speaker, and he does not want to answer it.

MR SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Secondly, I am surprised that the Minister could hear anything with the constant interjections that are going on. If it continues I will suggest that the Minister resume his seat. Continue, Mr Minister.

MR SMYTH: Mr Corbell said many things in his press release and I chose to comment on them because it is appropriate to highlight the fact that the Labor Party does not have a policy. Nor will they reveal any policy whatsoever in regard to planning in the ACT. I will comment any time he chooses to put something out.

Mr Berry: I take a point of order, Mr Speaker. I draw your attention to standing order 118. It specifically says that answers to questions without notice shall be concise and confined to the subject matter of the question. Mr Corbell's question was quite pointed. I would like to hear the Minister at least make an attempt to answer the points raised.

MR SPEAKER: So would I, but unfortunately I cannot hear him for the constant interjections that are going on. There is no point of order.

MR SMYTH: Mr Corbell says many things in his press release. Mr Corbell talks about how they will - - -

Mr Berry: I do not think there were any questions about a press release.

MR SPEAKER: Would you sit down, please, Mr Berry?

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