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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 5 Hansard (7 May) . . Page.. 1265 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

There have been issues of the role and rights of public servants and the recommendations that were made by Justice Gallop in relation to senior public servants. These individuals have pursued avenues open to them under the law, and I will always support the right of individuals to pursue legal avenues open to them. I will certainly defend the right of public servants to pursue their rights. I have not in any way sought to influence the courts, and it would not be appropriate for me to do so. I have not sought to influence the courts' consideration of those issues. I have simply acted in my role as Minister for Health in some respects and as Attorney-General in others.

But do not forget that, at the end of the day, the Gallop report is a report on the Liberal Party, and it is not a pretty report. We have picked up the mess, we are fixing the mess and we are doing it in an appropriate way.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Questions without notice

Griffin Centre-enhancement

MR CORBELL: Mr Speaker, in question time today Ms Dundas asked me a question about the $1.7 million allocated for the Griffin Centre replacement and whether any of this funding has been spent to date. I can now provide an answer to Ms Dundas' question.

Queensland Investment Corporation is contracted to replace the Griffin Centre as part of the redevelopment of section 56 in Civic. The previous government provided $1.7 million additional for some additional space in the new centre-and that equates to around half a million dollars-and about $1.2 million for fitout. Because building work is yet to commence on this site, none of this money has been expended to date.

Personal explanation

MR CORNWELL: Mr Speaker, I seek leave to make a statement under standing order 46.

Leave granted.

MR CORNWELL: Thank you. Mr Speaker, during question time today, I asked the Minister for Health:

Does the government have a view on the link between schizophrenia and marijuana smoking, as this was raised at the meeting, and are studies being conducted by your department into such a ... link?

Mr Stanhope gave a lengthy considered response but eventually strayed by accusing me of having espoused a redneck view that marijuana use leads to mental illness. Mr Speaker, I think Mr Stanhope has mistaken me for someone else. I have not made such claims about marijuana. Perhaps the most telling point in my favour is that, as you would be aware, I was the chair of this Assembly for the last 61/2 years and I did not have the opportunity to engage in debate on this or most other matters.

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