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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 9 Hansard (21 August) . . Page.. 2681 ..

MR SPEAKER: Order, please! Minister, just answer the question and not the interjections. Mrs Dunne, restrain yourself.

MR QUINLAN: Sorry, Mr Speaker. I will report to the Assembly that it was a very robust but constructive meeting.

MR HARGREAVES: Is the minister aware of comments made by some opposition members at the rally?

MR QUINLAN: As a matter of fact, yes.

Mr Humphries: We are not your problem, Ted. There are seven cars between all of us. They have about 700.

MR QUINLAN: One of the problems that we seem to be bumping up against today is fact versus fiction. I did hear reported on radio, and in fact in a recording of that well-known petrol head and rabblerouser, Greg Cornwell, saying to the group, "I understand promises were made and I will do whatever about making sure those promises are delivered." Mr Cornwell, you have to be aware that, if you stand before a group of people like that and say, "I understand promises were made," the group will hear, "Promises were made."

I want to quote from an email that was sent by Mr Stanhope's office on 16 October last year:

The Labor Party remains supportive of dragway racing but will not make any suggestions about possible sites or funding.

Mr Cornwell, I do suggest that, in the interests of public information, you take some action to correct the record.

It might be difficult for you because some of the group out there were not from Canberra. I do recall a Mr Bob Reid from Sydney castigating the government: "We only asked for $1 and what do we get? Nothing." "Where are you from, Bob?" "Sydney." Right. There were some visitors. There was even a sign outside that said, "Victorians support ACT dragway." They were seeking $6 million. Mr Bob Reid wants $6 million of ACT taxpayers' money spent on dragway. Nice work if you can get it, Mr Reid.

I also heard a recording of Mr Pratt, who undertakes to lobby Labor-he has not been to my door yet, but I am expecting him soon. Mr Pratt also said, "We want to bring back the V8 race." Mr Pratt, I think you should also correct the record and let the people know exactly how much you think the government should spend on the drag race each year.

Mr Smyth: Was that the V8 race or drag racing?

Mr Pratt: No problem.

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