House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-03-24 Daily Xml

Contents

Personal Explanation

MINISTER'S REMARKS

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite) (15:09): A few moments ago the Minister for Water Security asserted to the house that a project to do with riverine infrastructure was being held up because there had been a walkout in the Public Works Committee. That is completely untrue. To clarify the matter to the house, there was a walkout from the Public Works Committee to do with the Repatriation General Hospital. That was last year, I think, before Christmas. Since then, meeting after meeting, the Public Works Committee has been advised that the committee is awaiting advice from the government on key issues to do with the project before it can be approved by the committee.

Madam Speaker, I also draw your attention to standing orders 375 and 372, which deal with the fact that, before going forward with projects, resolutions reported from the committee must be presented to the house so that the house can agree or not agree with them. This matter has not been presented to the house and it has not been agreed to, and if, as the minister asserts, work is underway, I ask you to consider whether or not the act and the standing orders are being contravened and to advise the house accordingly.

The SPEAKER: I am not sure whether the member is requiring a response immediately, but I will come back to him with that response. Perhaps the member could come and talk to me afterwards, also.