Page 1957 - Week 05 - Thursday, 3 May 2012
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Mrs Dunne: On a point of order, Mr Speaker, my question was specifically about increasing property values and research that the ACT government might have done. It was not an invitation for a free-for-all on public art. It was a very specific question about property values.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, the point of order is upheld, Minister Burch. Let us not have a general policy discussion about public art; let us focus on the question that Mrs Dunne has asked about property values, thank you.
MS BURCH: As I have stated, Mrs Dunne has had to come here and apologise for verballing me before, so I do not accept the premise of her question.
Mr Hanson: Mr Speaker, on a point of order, the minister is essentially calling Mrs Dunne a liar. Mrs Dunne has asked a very specific question, and her response is to say, “You can’t believe anything that Mrs Dunne says.” I think that is close to the bone, and I ask that Ms Burch retract those statements that essentially Mrs Dunne cannot be trusted and answer the specifics of the question.
MR SPEAKER: Stop the clocks, thank you. On the point of order, Mr Corbell.
Mr Corbell: I think it is reasonable for the minister to say that she has questions about the accuracy of the question and answer it in the way she has chosen to do so. No aspersion has been cast on Mrs Dunne; it is a simple statement of the minister’s belief based on what she has heard in the question.
Mr Smyth: On the point of order, Mr Speaker, the question is: what research has been done by the ACT government or others on the impact of public art on Canberra property values. It is not quoting; it is not doing anything except asking a question about a government activity. How can you not believe the question? It is a spurious defence, and she should answer the question.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Smyth. That is why I upheld Mrs Dunne’s point of order, because I was asking the minister to focus on the matter at hand. I sought to stop the minister talking about her views on Mrs Dunne’s question. Minister, it is a very specific question. Would you like to add any further comments or simply resume your seat?
MS BURCH: I am happy right here, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Seselja, you have a supplementary.
MR SESELJA: Minister, what impact will the public artwork on the corner of Drakeford Drive and Marconi Crescent in Kambah, known to some as the “orgy of goldfish”, have on property prices in that suburb?
MS BURCH: It is actually The descending moths, Mr Speaker. There are some that consider it to be a great asset to the community. They do in fact like it. It was opened recently by Auntie Agnes, a senior elder of the Aboriginal community, who was
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