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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 3 Hansard (7 March) . . Page.. 604 ..

MR SMYTH: Just because you choose to use the word "inane" does not mean that the process that is in place is incorrect. Members opposite might not like the answer, but the reality is that we have a program whereby tenants are offered accommodation against their needs and the criteria that they match. We have difficulty in offering older people accommodation on the first floor. They might not like that, but this Government is one that will try to meet the needs of tenants as far as it can. In terms of all of the accommodation, this Government has not tried to hide the fact that it is unhappy with the type of accommodation, the mix and the location that we have, and what we are doing is putting in place - - -

Mr Corbell: I have a point of order, Mr Speaker. Standing order 118(a) says that the answer to a question shall be concise and confined to the subject matter of the question. Mr Wood's question was very specific, Mr Speaker, and we are yet to have the Minister get onto it.

MR SPEAKER: I cannot speak for the way that the Minister wishes to answer the question, Mr Corbell; but I can watch the time and I am watching it.

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, as I have said often in this place, we are aware of the inadequacies of some of our housing in terms of location and the amenity that it offers our tenants. We are working progressively to ensure that the accommodation we offer meets their needs.

Mr Berry: I take a point of order, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: That was the end of the answer.

Mr Berry: That is just not good enough. The fact of the matter is that you said last week that you - - -

Mr Moore: Which standing order?

Mr Berry: Standing order 118. Last week, you said that you were going to sit these people down if they did not answer the questions that they were asked in the context of the standing orders. The standing orders are clear. The answer shall be concise and confined to the subject matter of the question. The supplementary question put by Mr Wood was: "Will you tell us what the strategic assets management plan has to say about Reid Court?". He never even attempted to do that and you did not sit him down. Are we going to be fair about this?

Mr Moore: Speaking to the point of order, Mr Speaker: If you are going to be totally black and white, as Mr Berry would have you being, the Hansard will reveal that Mr Wood had a preamble to that question; so, if they want to do it in black and white, they will not be able to do it in that way.

Mr Wood: Mr Speaker - - -

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