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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 2 Hansard (2 March) . . Page.. 534 ..
MR SMYTH (continuing):
The point here, Mr Speaker, is that the Government's position is quite clearly on the table in regard to the building heights in the Kingston foreshore development and, for a cheap front-page headline, Mr Corbell abuses the committee process. What we see continually in this place is the committee process not being used properly by those opposite. They are not interested in the answers. When you get a differing opinion from what you want, when you have got your mind made up already, what you do is you lash out into print. We saw it yesterday with Mr Stanhope and his Bill. His committee into contracts was set up in, I think, May and Mr Stanhope revealed yesterday that he had started working on his legislation in August, but the committee did not meet until, I think, October. What we have here is another example of those opposite taking whatever opportunity they can to abuse the committee system for their own cheap political gains.
Mr Berry: I take a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Minister was asked about how many floors he supported. He did not seem to cope with the question. Do you not think that is worth raising?
MR SPEAKER: He is not allowed to report on that and you know it. Do you have a supplementary question, Mr Corbell?
MR CORBELL: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I do not know why the Minister is so sensitive on this issue. It was quite a simple question.
Mr Stanhope: That is right. Why will he not answer it?
MR SPEAKER: Because he cannot.
Mr Berry: He could have said, "I do not know".
MR SPEAKER: I warn you, Mr Berry.
MR CORBELL: Mr Speaker, can we take it from the Minister's answer that the Government continues to endorse draft variation No. 113, which does place a height limit on buildings on the Kingston foreshore, and does this mean that he has ruled out high-rise residential development on the site?
MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker - - -
Mr Stanhope: Do you endorse the draft variation?
MR SPEAKER: This matter is before the committee.
Mr
Corbell: I rise to a point of order, Mr Speaker. Before you rule on this matter, I would draw your attention to the fact that there have been a number of questions in this chamber today about ACTEW. This morning this Assembly referred issues relating to certain aspects of ACTEW's operations in relation to the Utilities Bills to a committee. Mr Speaker, that has not ruled out the ability of this Assembly to ask questions on the regulatory regime and other issues relating to ACTEW. Equally,
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