Page 4056 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 13 December 2006
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discussion. Certainly often through this whole process, in question time and debate, we have been confronted with legalistic answers to questions. I have no doubt that the community would want members of this Assembly to do their duty and inquire further when matters of concern are raised.
In the key findings of the report, the Auditor-General stated:
Various inquiries to ACTPLA indicated that there was some level of uncertainty regarding the planning controls applied to the site.
Indeed, they remain unanswered. The report states:
… the lack of clarity regarding interpretation of aspects of the Territory Plan, particularly permissible uses of industrial areas or land use restrictions, remained after the land sale—
These are not matters to be dismissed out of hand. They go to the heart of the concerns that Mr Seselja raises. The report goes on to note:
ACTPLA has a responsibility to provide clear and unambiguous advice to the community about planning matters. However, the Audit observed that in dealing with inquiries during the sale process, ACTPLA did not always provide a clear and responsive reply to legitimate and straightforward inquiries about specific planning controls …
These are serious issues and I am amazed that the minister would come into this place today and tie up the Assembly with a censure motion. It is interesting, as Mrs Burke points out, that the minister is not to be seen. This is the second occasion in a matter of weeks where a minister in charge of a crucial issue has been absent from the chamber. I think it is discourteous to the chamber for a minister to move a motion to censure opposition members and then fail to be present in the chamber.
Mr Stanhope: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker, just for the sake of the record. It should be noted—
MR MULCAHY: That is not a point of order, Mr Speaker.
Mr Stanhope: It is a point of order.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Resume your seat, Mr Mulcahy.
Mr Stanhope: The minister has returned to the chamber. He was out of the chamber for 15 seconds. That was a childish ploy by Mr Mulcahy—purely childish.
MR MULCAHY: It is not a point of order, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: It is not a point of order, but it seems a waste of time to note that somebody is out of the chamber when they go for a comfort stop.
MR MULCAHY: I do not know if that is the explanation, Mr Speaker.
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