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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 2 Hansard (2 March) . . Page.. 535 ..

Mr Corbell (continuing):

a document released by the Government, by the Minister, for which the Minister is responsible and which is, we understand, government policy should be available for questioning in this place.

Mr Humphries: Mr Speaker, on the point of order: The Bills referred to a standing committee today by the Assembly were utilities Bills which covered all utility operations in the ACT, not ACTEW, although it happens to have ACTEW included in its purview. If we are to be precluded from debating issues relating to ACTEW because the utilities Bills are before a committee of the Assembly, we are in big trouble. Mr Speaker, the fact is that Mr Corbell's question gets to the heart of a matter which is before an Assembly committee at the moment. It is about that Assembly committee's matter. He is trying to get in through the back door by quoting a document of the Minister's which does not refer to the issues that he has raised in his question. Therefore, the question is out of order.

Mr Corbell: Further to the point of order: Mr Humphries is simply wrong. The draft variation released by the Minister relates to heights on the Kingston foreshore. I have quoted directly from the document released by the Minister and I am simply wanting to know whether the Minister still considers it to be the approach that the Government is undertaking. I want to know whether the Minister believes that draft variation No. 113 is still government policy because he released it.

Ms Carnell: What is the committee looking at? At draft variation No. 113.

MR SPEAKER: What is the committee looking at?

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, no wonder they are embarrassed and whimpy. When they get very embarrassed on the other side you can see it in Mr Stanhope's face. Mr Corbell should be embarrassed as well because he is the Opposition's spokesperson on planning and he does not understand the Territory Plan variation. Mr Hird, if we need to, we can get officers from PALM to come back and explain to Mr Corbell - - -

Mr Corbell: Are you going to rule it out?

MR SMYTH: I am entitled to answer your question in any way I want, Mr Corbell, and you know it.

Mr Corbell: Will you rule it out - yes or no?

MR SPEAKER: Order! I warn you, Mr Corbell.

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, I would be embarrassed if I were their planning spokesperson and did not understand the purpose of a Territory Plan variation.

Mr Stanhope: Whom have you had discussions with about a 10-storey building?

MR SPEAKER: Mr Stanhope, watch yourself.

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