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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 4 Hansard (2 April) . . Page.. 1271 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

But the upshot for Mr Hargreaves, who is not part of the cabinet process, is that he needs to realise that, for reasons not adequately explained, social and public housing in the ACT is now $10 million short of what it should have had. I suggest that this diversion occurred to save somebody's skin, not because of a commitment to fire safety and certainly not because of a commitment to social and community housing by the current government.

Mr Wood said that 47 properties had been sold, 35 of them to current tenants. Unfortunately, eight were destroyed. I assume they will be replaced. If I heard Mr Wood right, it would appear that out of 1,800 homes and units, 130 OPUs and 40 community houses only four houses have been turned over. Thankfully 71 have been purchased and 10 are coming. That is 80 out of more than 2,000. I am not sure whether that is an outstanding commitment as Mr Hargreaves' motion would suggest. But it is some work that is being done by the current government.

You have to question the sorts of motions that Mr Hargreaves and Ms MacDonald move so regularly in an attempt for relevance. You have to question the Assembly "welcoming"and the Assembly "supporting". I think it might be more appropriate to say that the Assembly questions the government's commitment to these things and that we will keep a watching brief on all of you.

MR HARGREAVES (5.00), in reply: That was nice little tickle-up, Brendan. What you said about relevance deprivation was a good one. I am absolutely devastated about that.

At 5.00 pm, in accordance with standing order 34, the debate was interrupted. The motion for adjournment of the Assembly having been put and negatived, the debate was resumed.

MR HARGREAVES: I want everybody to know I was absolutely devastated by that stinging attack on my relevance in the electorate. I point to the number of votes I got in the last election. I was the one sitting at the shopping centre receiving constituents' complaints when the Leader of the Opposition walked past on his way to the bakery. I am upset by what he said about relevance. If you are going to have a good slag at me, at least get your facts right. I did not mention that the government had an outstanding commitment. I did not say anything about it being outstanding.

Mr Smyth: Neither did I.

MR HARGREAVES: Yes, you did. Have a look at Hansard. You also have an incredibly poor memory. It was only seconds ago that you said it. I am happy for you to look at Hansard. If I am wrong, tell me and I will apologise here. In fact, I will do it outside the Assembly.

Mr Smyth tried to divert the debate from housing to the $10 million. The government, particularly the minister, was absolutely chuffed to get $10 million. It was $10 million he did not have. It was half of the $20 million that you people took out of the budget to kowtow to that warmongering John Howard. Good on you. You took out the $10 million. We put it back.

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