Page 4509 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 23 November 2005
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MR SESELJA: I have a supplementary question. Minister, how long have you had this advice? Will you make it public?
MR CORBELL: I have had that advice for the last couple of months; certainly I received it in the second half of this year. In terms of making it public, I have already indicated that I am quite happy to brief Mr Seselja on the issues.
Housing—heritage listing
MRS BURKE: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services. Minister, how is Housing ACT liaising with the Heritage ACT unit to finalise its position on handling the impact of possible heritage listing of the properties owned by government?
MR HARGREAVES: In relation to the question: how is housing liaising with heritage about the properties it has under consideration for sale by auction or disposal, it is part of the sale of any house or property in the ACT that has a heritage listing to make sure that heritage conditions are not breached. I have every confidence that Housing ACT is doing very nicely in its consultations with heritage, thank you.
MRS BURKE: Mr Speaker, I have a supplementary question. Minister, if Housing ACT maintains a number of properties that could be affected by possible heritage listing, how will this affect any plans for redevelopment or rejuvenation of housing properties, particularly in relation to multiunit complexes?
MR HARGREAVES: All manner of things are taken into consideration when redevelopments occur or disposal action is taken within the public housing stock. I have every confidence that the people in charge of those considerations in the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services do that with the utmost propriety.
Multicultural affairs—Mr Mohamed Omari
MR PRATT: My question is to the Chief Minister. Last Friday, and again yesterday, Mr Mohamed Omari, the President of the ACT Multicultural Council, made serious allegations in the media about supposed visits to the Yarralumla mosque during Ramadan by, as he called them, Wahabist radicals. They were allegedly seeking to recruit young Canberra Muslims to their apparent radical cause. These are extraordinary claims. I do not know how credible these claims are, but they are claims that will have to be tested by the police. I understand that Mr Omari has spoken and will continue to speak to police about these claims. Indeed, I see he has said as much to you in a letter dated 22 November 2005:
… I have already discussed this matter with the AFP yesterday and further meetings are taking place … tomorrow.
This letter was in response to your letter of 21 November to Mr Omari, where you said:
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