Mr LANHUPUY - 1995-08-22
The report of the Sessional Committee on the Environment into matters relating to environmental protection and multiple use of wetlands associated with the Mary River system was tabled. In its recommendations, the committee recognised the urgency of undertaking remedial action to address a number of key problems affecting the catchment of the Mary River. When will the task force be established? Has the minister's interest as a local landowner influenced the speed and outcomes related to implementation of the committee's recommendations?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, not me. Whoever wrote the question for the member for Arnhem is not up to date with the new administrative arrangements. There could be no better example of the opposition's laziness. They do not even know which minister they have directed the question to. This is a shoddy attempt by some backroom boy and members opposite to embarrass not the government but a particular individual simply because he is a little more productive than members opposite.
Mr Coulter: This is probably about your last question and you intended to have a shot at me. Don't think that I will forgive you for that.
Mr REED: The wetlands study deserves better than this. It is a very important study of a very important issue. It affects a number of very important user groups, including recreational fishermen and the pastoral industry, and national parks activities which are
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undertaken in the wetlands and the problems that those activities face as a result of saltwater intrusion. As the minister for the last month or so, I am pursuing the matter. I am keen to see some progress made in the area. However, using as an example the question that has just been asked, clearly I am much more interested in and committed to finding a solution to the problem than the opposition is. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to get his act together.
Mr Coulter: He is trying to use it for political purposes.
Mr REED: Do not use this important matter as a political issue. Allow it the important status that it should have, and at least get your facts right. Know which minister you are asking the question of. The Leader of the Opposition is the boss.
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr REED: It is no good sitting there asking what you have done wrong. You are the boss!
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr REED: You are the boss. You are in charge. You are the person who is offering himself to Territorians as the alternative Chief Minister. You should be organising your group to ensure at least that they get the facts right and do not accuse people wrongly of doing things that perhaps they have not even had a chance to do.
Mr Ede: Answer the question! You are the minister in charge.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr REED: At least ensure that they know what the administrative arrangements are to which they are supposed to work.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, not me. Whoever wrote the question for the member for Arnhem is not up to date with the new administrative arrangements. There could be no better example of the opposition's laziness. They do not even know which minister they have directed the question to. This is a shoddy attempt by some backroom boy and members opposite to embarrass not the government but a particular individual simply because he is a little more productive than members opposite.
Mr Coulter: This is probably about your last question and you intended to have a shot at me. Don't think that I will forgive you for that.
Mr REED: The wetlands study deserves better than this. It is a very important study of a very important issue. It affects a number of very important user groups, including recreational fishermen and the pastoral industry, and national parks activities which are
Page 796
undertaken in the wetlands and the problems that those activities face as a result of saltwater intrusion. As the minister for the last month or so, I am pursuing the matter. I am keen to see some progress made in the area. However, using as an example the question that has just been asked, clearly I am much more interested in and committed to finding a solution to the problem than the opposition is. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to get his act together.
Mr Coulter: He is trying to use it for political purposes.
Mr REED: Do not use this important matter as a political issue. Allow it the important status that it should have, and at least get your facts right. Know which minister you are asking the question of. The Leader of the Opposition is the boss.
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr REED: It is no good sitting there asking what you have done wrong. You are the boss!
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr REED: You are the boss. You are in charge. You are the person who is offering himself to Territorians as the alternative Chief Minister. You should be organising your group to ensure at least that they get the facts right and do not accuse people wrongly of doing things that perhaps they have not even had a chance to do.
Mr Ede: Answer the question! You are the minister in charge.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr REED: At least ensure that they know what the administrative arrangements are to which they are supposed to work.
Page 797
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016