Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .
Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 2 Hansard (2 March) . . Page.. 526 ..
Mr Stanhope: Is that a question?
MR SPEAKER: Now, now!
MR HUMPHRIES: Hearing these claims, I sent my department to find out exactly what was going on and, rather wisely, they chose to bypass the monkey and go straight to the organ-grinder. The story I have received today about ENERGEX's position is very different from the one that Mr Quinlan and Mr Oberdorf have put about in the Canberra Times and in this place. I have here a letter that the chief executive officer of ENERGEX, Mr Brian Blinco, wrote today to the Under Treasurer, Mr Lilley. This is what he had to say:
Thank you for your phone call this morning advising me of assertions regarding ENERGEX in your parliament and in your media.
I confirm my oral advice that ENERGEX has no offer in place or presently contemplated for the purchase of ACTEW or any part of ACTEW.
I would be pleased if you would use this letter to correct any incorrect assertions.
Members interjected.
MR HUMPHRIES: My advice, Mr Speaker - - -
MR SPEAKER: Order! I am sorry, Mr Humphries, I did not hear those comments. Would you mind repeating them, please.
MR HUMPHRIES: Yes, Mr Speaker. I am happy to quote the letter:
I confirm my oral advice that ENERGEX has no offer in place or presently contemplated for the purchase of ACTEW or any part of ACTEW.
I would be pleased if you would use this letter to correct any incorrect assertions.
Mr Smyth: Incorrect assertions!
MR HUMPHRIES: Incorrect assertions. It appears that Mr Oberdorf, in putting about correspondence to suggest that there was an offer to ACTEW from ENERGEX, was wrong, was misleading those people to whom he directed that information; that, in fact, there is no offer from ENERGEX on the table for the purchase of part or all of ACTEW and, as far as I am aware, there has not been an offer on the table since the middle of last year when ENERGEX withdrew its expression of interest in this process.
Mr Quinlan: No overture since the middle of last year? No overtures to anybody? No discussion?
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .