Mr GUNNER - 2016-02-10
In response to revelations that the Deputy Chief Minister provided ‘a little early advice’ to the CT Group in regard to the expression of interest for a luxury hotel in Darwin while at the same time held discussions to purchase $570 000 worth of shares in one of their projects, the Deputy Chief Minister said:
Can you confirm that you provided such advice?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I can confirm that I provide advice to many people. I even spoke to Ashley Manicaros at the NT News to put it on the front page of the paper many days before, on 22 August. I managed to put it in a media release on 22 August, eight days before the alleged conversation. It is something we do on a regular basis.
Let me explain how this works. I will give you a few examples. I have been talking about it publicly …
Mr Gunner: Were you aware of the conflict?
Mr GILES: If you could just let me answer your question, Leader of the Opposition. I know paying attention is very difficult.
The Minister for Business was sent to Hong Kong to officially talk about it at a world hotel conference before 30 August.
This happens on a range of occasions. People would know that for two years …
Ms Fyles interjecting.
Mr GILES: Member for Nightcliff, you will get your go.
People would be aware that for two or three years we spoke about a port deal before it happened.
Ms Lawrie: Rubbish!
Mr GILES: Yes, we did, check your reports. People were told …
Ms Fyles: Did you think about TIO for two or three years?
Mr GILES: Just be quiet!
People were told for a long time that we wanted to build a ship-lift facility and would put in up to $100m. That was released a long time ago, then we put out the expression of interest last week. This happens on a regular basis and we will continue to do it.
Another good example is something which is happening right now. I will give you a revelation. We are trying to get an airline from China to Darwin. It is no secret. Pretty soon we will go into negotiations with an airline. We put it out there for transparency and accountability so people will know what we are doing.
People knew we wanted to attract a major five- or six-star hotel to Darwin. I said it everywhere. I told the newspaper and issued media releases before the alleged e-mail you are talking about. This is not something new; I am talking about the plan of government.
I stress that government has a plan to build the economy in the Northern Territory, to invest in agriculture, tourism, mines and energy, and education, because we want to grow our economy and jobs.
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 110: relevance. The Chief Minister is wandering away from the question. Was he aware of the conflict, and was the advice Willem provided privately different to the advice on the public record?
Madam SPEAKER: The Chief Minister has the call.
Mr GILES: The front page of the NT News speaks for itself, when eight days before the e-mail it was there for the world to see.
As I said, we have a plan. We will talk about our investment opportunities, attract money to the Northern Territory, grow jobs and make sure the Northern Territory continues to be the best place to live, work and play. That is our plan.
… standard practice for government ministers is to engage with potential investors who have an interest in the Northern Territory. I sought advice (from the Chief Minister) before engaging with the CT Group and this advice was that it was acceptable practice to send basic details as an FYI.
Can you confirm that you provided such advice?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I can confirm that I provide advice to many people. I even spoke to Ashley Manicaros at the NT News to put it on the front page of the paper many days before, on 22 August. I managed to put it in a media release on 22 August, eight days before the alleged conversation. It is something we do on a regular basis.
Let me explain how this works. I will give you a few examples. I have been talking about it publicly …
Mr Gunner: Were you aware of the conflict?
Mr GILES: If you could just let me answer your question, Leader of the Opposition. I know paying attention is very difficult.
The Minister for Business was sent to Hong Kong to officially talk about it at a world hotel conference before 30 August.
This happens on a range of occasions. People would know that for two years …
Ms Fyles interjecting.
Mr GILES: Member for Nightcliff, you will get your go.
People would be aware that for two or three years we spoke about a port deal before it happened.
Ms Lawrie: Rubbish!
Mr GILES: Yes, we did, check your reports. People were told …
Ms Fyles: Did you think about TIO for two or three years?
Mr GILES: Just be quiet!
People were told for a long time that we wanted to build a ship-lift facility and would put in up to $100m. That was released a long time ago, then we put out the expression of interest last week. This happens on a regular basis and we will continue to do it.
Another good example is something which is happening right now. I will give you a revelation. We are trying to get an airline from China to Darwin. It is no secret. Pretty soon we will go into negotiations with an airline. We put it out there for transparency and accountability so people will know what we are doing.
People knew we wanted to attract a major five- or six-star hotel to Darwin. I said it everywhere. I told the newspaper and issued media releases before the alleged e-mail you are talking about. This is not something new; I am talking about the plan of government.
I stress that government has a plan to build the economy in the Northern Territory, to invest in agriculture, tourism, mines and energy, and education, because we want to grow our economy and jobs.
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 110: relevance. The Chief Minister is wandering away from the question. Was he aware of the conflict, and was the advice Willem provided privately different to the advice on the public record?
Madam SPEAKER: The Chief Minister has the call.
Mr GILES: The front page of the NT News speaks for itself, when eight days before the e-mail it was there for the world to see.
As I said, we have a plan. We will talk about our investment opportunities, attract money to the Northern Territory, grow jobs and make sure the Northern Territory continues to be the best place to live, work and play. That is our plan.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016