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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 7 Hansard (20 June) . . Page.. 2175 ..

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I will take Ms Tucker's word for the fact that the photograph, which is black and white, demonstrates that the grass is going from brown to green. I have to say that, having been there only a few weeks ago, I did not particularly notice any problem with the grass being brown. I thought the grass, such as it was, was quite verdant in its own right. I am not sure whether Ms Tucker is suggesting that the spraying of grass constitutes a real reason for not having the relationship that we do have with Beijing, or for not supporting the Beijing bid for the 2008 games.

I think there are some very important environmental skills which the ACT is able to impart to Beijing. There are some very important capacities which the Beijing government will require should it win the 2008 games, and the name of the winner will be announced in Moscow on the 13th of next month. This includes capacities to reduce their airborne emissions and to improve the quality of both their water supply and their sewerage and water disposal systems. Those are things that we do very well in this city. They are things that I think Beijing will benefit from if they are successful in being awarded these games. We are in a position to supply those services.

If they want us to advise them on painting grass, I am sure we could oblige them in that respect. But there are other rather more important skills that we can impart to them, which would be of great benefit to the ACT and, incidentally, to the people of Beijing.

MS TUCKER: Mr Speaker, I ask a supplementary question. I am interested to know what offers of assistance or expertise the ACT government has made to Beijing, what resources have been used and whether or not the advice and support relates to the issue of human rights. I would like the Chief Minister to explain this to the Assembly in more detail. Perhaps he could take the question on notice. I would also be interested to see any documents which detail this support.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I am sure that was a question. I will produce a report on the work that we have done in China. Ms Tucker has already asked me at an Estimates Committee hearing a question about what issue was made of human rights. I have already answered her question in that respect. But if she wants me to repeat it I would be happy to do so and include it with the other information that I will table later.

Williamsdale quarry

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, I have a question to the Chief Minister and it is about the Williamsdale quarry. Yesterday I was forced to table a letter in this place in relation to the government direction to Williamsdale quarry.

Mr Quinlan: You were cornered.

MR BERRY: I felt cornered. As usual I fell into line with the wishes of the Assembly. That letter, and it was signed by Mr Humphries, said:

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