Page 1359 - Week 04 - Thursday, 4 April 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
I am not required to judge whether there has been a breach of privilege or contempt. I can only judge whether the matter merits precedence. Having considered the matter, and also the views of the committee, I have concluded that the matter does merit precedence over other business.
I understand that there is no motion before us, and standing order 81A says that there needs to be 90 minutes. I inform the Assembly that at some point we will be coming back to this matter.
Questions without notice
Government—Canberra Helicopters
MR COE: My question is to the Chief Minister. As you are aware, Canberra Helicopters, currently based at Canberra airport, is looking to establish a world-class helicopter training facility in Hume. Despite the ACT government supposedly supporting the concept, discussions continue with a lack of resolution. In the three years since the first direct sale application was made, why is it that the government still cannot give the necessary approvals for this project, despite the proponent desperately wanting to make the investment?
MR BARR: I will seek an update in relation to these matters. I will take the question on notice and provide information to the Assembly in due course.
MR COE: Chief Minister, what is your awareness about what is being proposed and how many international visitors, trainees, jobs and other investments have we lost due to the length of time it has taken to get this project approved?
MR BARR: I am aware that there have been some discussions and I have had some limited briefing on the matter by the proponent but I am not intimately involved in the commercial negotiations and the matter has yet to come before cabinet.
MR WALL: Chief Minister, do you agree that this is an example of the kind of investment that should be fostered and encouraged in Canberra?
MR BARR: I am certainly open to these sorts of investments but direct sales, by their nature, exclude others from the potential to utilise public land for either similar or other purposes. They are the exception rather than the rule, and there should be no assumption that a direct sale will automatically be granted on the basis of an unsolicited proposal to government. We have a framework for assessing these proposals and it is appropriate that they are assessed in that way. That sometimes means that it takes longer than proponents would like. But I am sure that the opposition would be in favour of rigorous due process in the direct sale of public land to any commercial proponent.
Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality—responsibilities
MS LE COUTEUR: My question is to the Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality. Given that there are also ministers for disability, children, women, seniors,
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video