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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 4 Hansard (3 April) . . Page.. 1340 ..

Mr Smyth: When was it sent?

MR STANHOPE: The answer I gave yesterday, Mr Smyth, was truthful. The letter was signed and sent. I said I am more than happy to have a look at when that was.

MR CORNWELL: Mr Speaker, I ask a supplementary question. I can accept that other aspects were covered in the letter, but perhaps I can refresh your memory. I understand that the letter you said left your desk was dated 1 April, two days ago. Why did you take until 1 April to write this letter to the Prime Minister, which the chief executive of your department said on 26 February-which was part of my question yesterday-would be sent within the next week, that is, by 7 March 2003?

MR STANHOPE: Thank you, Mr Cornwell, for confirming that the letter was sent on 1 April, if indeed your information is correct. I must say I am bemused, Mr Cornwell. If neither the Prime Minister's Department nor the Prime Minister's office had any knowledge of the letter, how it is that you know it was dated 1 April? Did you mislead the Assembly, Mr Cornwell, in suggesting that neither the Prime Minister's Department nor the Prime Minister's office had received or had any knowledge of the letter?

How is it, Mr Cornwell, that you have knowledge of my correspondence? How is it, Mr Cornwell, that you have a knowledge or understanding of the date of my letters to the Prime Minister that neither the Prime Minister's office nor the Prime Minister's Department have? Did you have that information, Mr Cornwell? How do you have that information? We know about the email scandal. We know that you read for six months Mr Wood's personal mail. Whose mail are you reading now, Mr Cornwell?

This really is intriguing. Mr Cornwell has advice that neither the Prime Minister's Department nor the Prime Minister's office has any knowledge of a letter from me, no knowledge of a letter from me, yet Mr Cornwell can now stand up a say the letter that neither the Prime Minister's office nor the Prime Minister's Department have any knowledge of was dated 1 April. What a major concern.

Mr Smyth: It is not what he said.

Mr Cornwell: You asked me-

MR SPEAKER: Order! As far as I can make out the only member who is not interjecting amongst the opposition is Mrs Burke. Would you like to have a go as well to make it a full hand? This is ridiculous.

Mrs Burke: Just answer the question.

Mr Pratt: Prevarication.

MR SPEAKER: Order! The House will come to order, please.

MR STANHOPE: Mr Speaker, the answer that I gave to Mr Cornwell's question yesterday was that, yes, the letter has been sent. Mr Cornwell has now just confirmed

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