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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 3 Hansard (9 March) . . Page.. 811 ..

MR RUGENDYKE (continuing):

We all know that Bruce Stadium was the Chief Minister's baby and we all know how that turned out. That is why I have been insisting that her involvement be limited to signatures and comments that are necessary to be made as a shareholder. While ACTEW has kept the shareholders up to date on developments, the Chief Minister has had no involvement in negotiations and will not be involved in negotiations. Mr Mackay, Mr Service and the board are the experts in this field. Unlike the failed sale, the proposal has been identified and driven by ACTEW. The Chief Minister has not been representing the ACT. I have been assured that this will continue to be negotiated on this commercial basis without political interference.

The ACTEW board is bound by corporations law to act in the best interests of ACTEW. The ACTEW board's negotiations will be overseen by ACTEW's legal team and corporate finance experts. I have also been assured that an independent probity auditor will be appointed.

There are other aspects of this venture that I would like to put on the record. First, there is ACTEW's publicly stated two-year job guarantee. (Further extension of time granted) John Mackay has given me his personal assurance in writing in the presence of AGL representatives.

I hear Mr Berry was scaremongering about jobs on the radio today. Once again, that is very predictable. Let us look at it sensibly though. How many jobs will go if we leave ACTEW as it is, Mr Berry? You could not guarantee any job whatsoever if we were to follow your wishes. You want to do nothing. At least Mr Quinlan is prepared to look at other options. If it were up to you, Mr Berry, you would leave ACTEW as it is. The only way that it would survive would be to cut more jobs back to the bone. You cannot assure job certainty. I have higher aspirations for ACTEW and their workforce. All the employees' rights and entitlements would be preserved under the joint venture arrangements.

Secondly, water and sewerage operations must stay in the hands of present ACTEW personnel. I have insisted that they not be contracted out to a third party. In the event of the water and sewerage operations not working out in the joint venture, they would have to return to ACTEW and certainly not be contracted out. I have received guarantees on these issues.

Thirdly, flexibility of billing is also important to residents so that they are not burdened by having their bills all rolled into one. As far as pricing goes, the presence of IPARC will protect consumers. But it is important that bills be staggered or issued over more regular periods. These concerns have also been addressed by ACTEW and AGL. They inform me that there is already a range of payment mechanisms in both organisations, including the option of fortnightly payment for gas and electricity accounts.

I also support Mr Kaine's call for maintaining present subsidies for pensioners. Overall, I support the passage of this Bill and I believe that - - -

Mr Berry: The motion, it is not the Bill.

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