Page 4034 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 16 Sept 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
government that micromanage these projects. That is why we pay a large number of board members a large amount to manage the affairs of Actew.
Mr Seselja: How much? “A large amount,” he says.
MR CORBELL: Those amounts are, of course, on the public record, as Mr Seselja knows. The payments of board members are entirely on the public record and it is the board that is responsible under the Territory-owned Corporations Act, and indeed under relevant Corporations Law, for these matters. It is important that the government reiterates that point and that the Assembly understands the governance arrangements that are in place and have been accepted as being appropriate by successive governments.
The government believe that it is entirely reasonable for the Assembly to request a detailed accounting of the factors leading to the increase in the costs of the projects, and I am suggesting in my amendment that I, as the responsible minister, ask Actew Corporation to provide that information to me so that I may present it to the Assembly by the close of business tomorrow.
The government also agree that a chronology should be made available and we are happy to do so. The government have nothing to hide in relation to this project. We are happy to agree to the provision of those elements of information that Mrs Dunne seeks. My amendment simply indicates that it should be me, as the appropriate minister, making that request and providing it to the Assembly, once I have received it from Actew.
These are issues of significant importance to the Canberra community. In summary, it is important to remember that the consumer is protected. The consumer is protected through the provisions of the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission. The ICRC must be satisfied that the costs are reasonable—otherwise, they will not be passed through in water bills—and the community expect these projects to be delivered. The community want to see these projects delivered. At the end of the day, there can be criticism about the costs. But is anyone seriously suggesting that these projects should not proceed? Is that what the Liberal Party are saying? I do not think it is what they are saying.
The Canberra community want these projects to proceed. The government is happy to provide full scrutiny on these matters. The government is happy to seek the information that Mrs Dunne is requesting in her motion and the government is happy to provide that to the Assembly because the transparency around these projects is important and the government will always seek to provide for that transparency.
These are important projects. Water security for the future is essential for the ACT. The ACT has acted on these issues consistently as a government since at least 2004, when it became clear that rainfall was not being restored.
Mrs Dunne: In 2004 you wanted to put it off.
MR CORBELL: And again Mrs Dunne perpetuates the lie.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .