Page 2951 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 20 September 2006
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Tharwa region is. His suggestion that you can just put a low-level crossing across there is ludicrous at this point in time.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR HARGREAVES: I was just waiting for him—and, in fact, his colleague interjected—to talk about the flooding. The Point Hut Crossing has in fact been known to flood, but we also know that there has not been a deal of rain lately. There has not been enough rain to make the Murrumbidgee flood at Tharwa. In fact, I believe that it is a 100-year event at Tharwa, in any event. So there is a certain degree of risk analysis in this. However, we seek a permanent solution for the gateway to Namadgi National Park, a permanent solution for the people of the village and a permanent solution for the economic viability of the village. I can advise the chamber that, in the next wee while, I will be taking a submission to cabinet on the issue.
Rhodium Asset Solutions Ltd
MR SMYTH: My question is to the Chief Minister and Treasurer. Page 3 of the Auditor-General’s report on Rhodium states:
In Rhodium’s case, it seems evident that the lack of clear strategic direction from the Shareholders created uncertainty and made it difficult for Rhodium to provide and commit to appropriate long-term strategic planning to achieve its business objectives.
Chief Minister, over the life of Rhodium while you have been a voting shareholder you have devoted your efforts to Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, Terry Hicks, the Elgin marbles, whaling and other issues totally unrelated to your ministerial responsibilities, yet you have failed to meet your responsibilities on this issue related to your duties to the ACT. Chief Minister, as one of the voting shareholders of Rhodium, why didn’t you give clear strategic direction to the board of Rhodium?
MR STANHOPE: I did, Mr Speaker. I approved the statement of corporate intent. The statutory direction to the board in relation to the government’s expectations is the statement of corporate intent. Any suggestion from the words quoted in relation to a lack of strategic direction that this in some way stemmed from a lack of strategic direction by the shareholders is absolutely absurd, it is nonsensical.
Mr Smyth: So the auditor is wrong.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Smyth is on a warning and I know that he is going to sit there silently and listen to the answer to his question, otherwise he will not get to hear it from inside. The remainder of the opposition will cease interjecting.
MR STANHOPE: The Auditor-General did not find in the report that the management deficiencies at Rhodium which she identified were in any way a result of a lack of strategic direction by the shareholders. There is absolutely no nexus between the findings of the Auditor-General, her recommendations, and the statement being quoted on page 3.
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