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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 6 Hansard (15 May) . . Page.. 1627 ..

MR CORBELL: Mr Speaker, the reality is that those opposite are seeking to undermine this government's mandate to build the road on the western alignment.

Mrs Dunne: Mr Speaker, I would ask you to ask the Chief Minister to withdraw the inference that Mr Bartels tells lies.

MR SPEAKER: I didn't hear that.

Mrs Dunne: We heard it.

Mrs Cross: We heard it.

MR SPEAKER: I didn't hear it.

Mrs Dunne: He said it is about the porkies he tells, that he tells porkies. I would like him to withdraw it because Mr Bartels cannot defend himself here in this place.

MR SPEAKER: Resume your seat.

Mr Stanhope: You do need to know, Mr Speaker, what I said. The suggestion in today's paper that the AIS or the Sports Commission was working with this government to stop the road is a porky, it is not the truth, and I don't resile from that. Nobody is working with this government to stop the road. The only people trying to stop the road are the Liberal Party.

MR SPEAKER: I think you have made your point. I will rule on this. It is not about a member in this place, and it is not a point of order. Mr Corbell, would you like to continue.

MR CORBELL: Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Australian Sports Commission's refusal to engage in a constructive process is of serious concern and a matter of regret for the government.

The ACT government is continuing to finalise the preferred alignment for the road on the western route. Initial environmental and engineering research studies are still being finalised. We now have confirmation from the chairman of the Australian Sports Commission that it is the Sports Commission's position to stop this road despite the fact that those examinations have not been completed.

The Australian Sports Commission needs to understand that the ACT government was elected on a policy of building the road on the western alignment, and we are entitled to seek to implement that policy. It is a matter of grave concern that a Commonwealth government agency is seeking to hinder a democratically elected government in the territory in its efforts to establish and implement its election commitment.

Mr Speaker, I know that the opposition is opposing the western alignment, and it would appear that they are prepared to do absolutely anything possible to seek to ensure that the western alignment is not constructed. No matter what the community says at the ballot box, no matter what the policy is of the elected government, they are going to seek to oppose it.

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