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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 2 Hansard (28 February) . . Page.. 392 ..
MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):
surplus will be fully funded from that source. I cannot say the same about those opposite. I was astonished to hear Mr Stanhope on the radio this morning say:
The Labor Party has made no promises or policy announcements in relation to our approach to multicultural issues in Canberra, or on any other issue at this stage.
Mr Smyth: No promises?
MR HUMPHRIES: No promises. That does not quite accord with my recollection or my clippings folder. I can think of at least two that Mr Stanhope personally made on a radio station in this town this year. On 31 January this year he was on Mr Ullman's program on the ABC, where he committed himself to spend more on both police and education-not just to do something about it or give them more support but to spend more money. He was asked about putting more police on the street. The interviewer asked him whether he was prepared to commit support to having more police on the street. He said in the very forthright, direct and strong fashion of a strong leader:
I think I am prepared to say that.
Does that amount to a commitment on spending for policing or does it not?
Mr Stanhope: It does.
MR HUMPHRIES: It does. You did not hear the beginning of my answer, Mr Stanhope. You were out of the chamber. You said on the radio-
Mr Stanhope: With the highest burglary rate in Australia, with the highest car theft rate in the world.
MR HUMPHRIES: They want to change the subject. You told us:
The Labor Party has made no promises ... on any other issue at this stage.
Can you tell us when you were telling the truth-either when you said that no promises had been made to this stage or when you said that you were going to provide more money for policing? Were you telling the truth then or telling the truth later?
Mr Stanhope: Can I answer that question, Mr Speaker?
MR SPEAKER: No. It is a rhetorical question.
Mr Stanhope: I would be happy to engage the Chief Minister in a discussion.
MR SPEAKER: You may do that later.
Mr Stefaniak: I would be happy to engage the Chief Minister in a discussion about the truth and telling the truth and about whopping lies.
MR SPEAKER: You may do that by substantive motion, not in the middle of question time, thank you.
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