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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 12 Hansard (6 December) . . Page.. 3738 ..

MR HIRD (continuing):

The minister's department went through a series of checking processes before arriving at a position to have the area sold at public auction. My colleague, Mr Corbell, raised this issue, rightly so, with my committee. There was no hesitation by either me or my colleague, Mr Rugendyke, that we should make certain inquiries and make ourselves familiar with and aware of this matter. Mr Corbell identified that there had been some concerns from 200 residents who had attended the public meeting. The committee, of which I am the chairman, undertook to inform itself. We decided that the best way to do this was for me, as chair, to write to the minister requesting departmental information and a briefing. As members would know, this is standard procedure for my committee.

This was done in two ways. Prior to writing a letter to the minister, I informed him during discussions on another planning matter that it had been raised. I must say that there was no malice in the way the minister greeted my inquiries. He did not push the subject aside in order to drive ahead with residential development in this area. Quite the contrary, the minister welcomed the opportunity. From memory, the minister said, "This is the due and proper process when there is concern." I said, "We will forward a letter in due course," which we did. I also understand that the minister has written back to the committee and verified exactly what he told me previously in a conversation. So I do not know how one could accuse this minister of trying to scaremonger, upset or deny local residents the opportunity of having their say in respect of due process.

It is sad to think that there may well be a propaganda program under way aimed at the minister in relation to so - called infills. Recently a concerned resident of Rivett drew my attention to a pamphlet which was circulated by our colleague, Mr Corbell - and he has the right to do so - which indicated that the government wanted to remove a children's playground from the area. This was of some concern to me so I made inquiries and found this claim to be quite a yawn because it was untrue.

I might just add - and I am not defending the minister - that the minister has been honourable and above board. I dare anyone in this chamber to say that the minister has ever not given my committee assistance or a response to any question that we have asked. He has always made officers available to my committee in our quest to find information. Sometimes that information is not always well met by certain members of my committee, but at least the minister and his officers come forward with answers. Never has he rejected or neglected that approach. (Extension of time granted.) From what has been said today, it would appear that there has not been due process, and I refute that. I, as chair of the committee, and I dare say my colleagues are looking forward to a good outcome with residents being given the ability to have their say.

Mr Corbell approached the committee and rightly raised a question about proposed infill in the Turner district. The minister has indicated that nothing will occur until such time as the committee brings in its report. So who is scaremongering, who is using these tactics? I will leave the answer to that question to the imagination of members. But let us be honest and fair. If you want to play politics, let it be above board and not down in the gutter, as we are all capable of doing. I was interested in what our colleague Mr Wood said during an adjournment debate just recently. He said, "If you get down in the gutter, you can mix it." Let us not do that. We should lift ourselves up and do what we are supposed to be doing here, and that is representing our constituency and making this territory the best place to live, not only for this generation but for generations to come.

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