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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 10 Hansard (Wednesday, 25 August 2004) . . Page.. 4143 ..

MR QUINLAN: This government engaged ACIL Tasman and said, “We want an objective assessment of what the convention industry is worth to the community—not what it is worth to the owner of some restaurant or to the owner of a hotel, but what it is worth in multiplied benefits to the community.” It is a bit less than $40 million.

A week or so ago I had an approach from an interested stakeholder on, let me say, a convivial evening, who said, “No, no; you’re in strife, Quinlan. We’re after you. $40 million isn’t enough—at least $100 million.” Ladies and gentlemen, $100 million is about $1,000 per ACT household—it is a grand each. I am not sure I could justify that to the people of the ACT. I reckon I can justify $40 million, because I have an independent assessment—not the rose-coloured job, not the idiotic figures that you, Mr Smyth, are prepared to just regurgitate without even thinking, “I wonder how much that works out to per week?” No. That’s it—a $1.7 billion loss! What nonsense!

Some members of the community are prepared to sling those figures around but, let me tell you, they do not stand up. They do not stand up to intuitive reasoning, if you know what that is. What we are trying to do is strike a deal. We would like the hotel—at least give them the chance—to make some contribution towards a facility from which they may draw benefit. They have a lease on it. I do not own it; without their cooperation I cannot open a tin of paint in the place. We have to work with them. Now, of course, they are going to play hardball, as are the owners of adjacent properties—if we want to use those—as will the casino. The casino wants poker machines—surprise, surprise! So everybody is wheeling and dealing. As I said, sooner or later we may get through this imbroglio.

Mr Smyth: Oh, soon!

MR QUINLAN: We would not get through it if we had you lot, because you would say, “Oh, here’s the $40 million. Take me, take me!” It is simply not good enough.

Mrs Burke: It has taken you three years to get this far!

Mrs Dunne: You have been sitting on your hands for three years!

MR QUINLAN: Go back and look at your business history. We might talk about that later. We are not going down the same path as you lot. We are not going down the way of groups such as impulse, CanDeliver or the Williamsdale quarry—the total litany of disasters that you blokes brought on this territory.

Mr Pratt: After we cleaned up the mess of your $344 million debt!

MR QUINLAN: Good on you, Mr Pratt, for bringing that in!

Mr Pratt: I knew you would love that, Ted!

MR SPEAKER: Interjections are highly disorderly; direct your comments through the chair. Mr Pratt: quiet, please.

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