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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 2 Hansard (1 March) . . Page.. 440 ..
Mr Humphries: I rise on a point of order, Mr Speaker. Mr Stanhope made an interjection just a moment ago which likened Mr de Castella to Mr John Laws.
Mr Stanhope: No, no.
Mr Humphries: Yes, he did, Mr Speaker. I think we all heard that remark. The clear inference that Mr de Castella has been paid to say or write certain things and that this is the result of a cash for comment episode in the ACT is a very unfortunate slur on a very distinguished Australian, as the Chief Minister has said. I ask Mr Stanhope to clear the record on this matter.
MR SPEAKER: Would you mind withdrawing it?
Mr Stanhope: On the point of order, Mr Speaker - actually not on the point of order, on the Gary: I said no such thing.
MR SPEAKER: If you made the comment, withdraw it.
Mr Moore: He did say it.
Mr Stanhope: I did not make the comment. I will not withdraw it. I did not cast any aspersion on Robert de Castella at all. I referred to your nonsensical suggestion and said that, if any suggestion could be made that he was being paid for editorial comment, that is the argument John Laws uses. That was the thrust of my comment, responding to your nonsensical suggestion - - -
Mr Humphries: That is the suggestion that he was paid for his comments.
Mr Stanhope: No, I was referring to the Chief Minister's nonsensical answer to the very serious question that was asked. John Laws would applaud the answer that the Chief Minister is giving to the very serious question that was made. I cast no aspersion on Robert de Castella. I regard him as a great Australian, a great Canberran and a personal friend.
MS CARNELL: Well, do not do what you did.
Mr Stanhope: Well, do not make outrageous and absurd claims.
MR SPEAKER: Order! You have explained your position, Mr Stanhope.
Mr Kaine: On the point of order, Mr Speaker: I notice that the Chief Minister has in fact affirmed that the Government is paying Mr de Castella to do this, but she has not answered how much.
MS CARNELL
: Mr Speaker, that is not a point of order. What I said, quite clearly, is that Mr de Castella is paid, as was indicated in the answer to the question, for a number of Olympic promotion events and for an article on the Olympics. I also said that
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