Mr STONE (Chief Minister): - 1996-10-15
Mr STONE (Chief Minister): Mr Speaker, in relation to the questions I was asked on Telstra, I advise members that ...
Mr Bailey: You are resigning.
Mr STONE: No, I am not resigning. I advise members that I contributed a total of $6709.33 to that visit to Atlanta. That comprised $3198.53 for accommodation and $3510.80 in relation to airline tickets.
Mrs Hickey: So what?
Mr STONE: I think it is a pretty important consideration.
Mr Speaker, I should also read the letter that set out the invitation because it was on the basis of this letter that the invitation was accepted, not on the basis of the letter that the Leader of the Opposition tabled so conveniently this morning which would colour this issue. This letter is dated 12 February 1996. It is from Charles Zoi, group managing director and, omitting the formal parts of the letter, it reads:
As you will be aware, the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, the centenary of the modern Olympics and the world's
premier sporting event, is fast approaching. Telstra has had a rich and rewarding association with the
Australian Olympic movement over the past decade and we are very proud to be continuing this association at
both Atlanta and Sydney 2000.
Telstra has recently confirmed its entertainment plans for Atlanta and we were hoping that you and Josephine
could share the excitement of this event with us during the second week of the games. The relevant dates are:
depart Australia on Saturday 27 July through to Monday 5 August, depart Atlanta following the closing ceremony
on Sunday 4 August. Telstra will provide business class air travel and we will be staying at Atlanta's
Underground Hotel and will have seats at each day's major events, including the closing ceremony. We are
also planning evening functions, tours and personal meetings with some of our Olympic athletes.
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I hope you will be able to join us for what promises to be an unforgettable experience. David Denton, national
general manager of Telstra's Olympic Unit, will contact you soon to see if you can make it and to begin
arranging details.
I accepted that invitation, but on the clear understanding that I would make a contribution towards the cost of the entire exercise. Consequently, as I have said, I contributed some $6709.33, but that is something that the opposition really does not want to talk about.
The bad news is that I was wrong when I said that I had not sat in Cabinet in relation to a matter involving Telstra. I have.
Mr Bell: Yes.
Mr STONE: The member for MacDonnell interjects - as if he would know. I rose to my feet the moment it was brought to my attention that, in fact, I did sit in a Cabinet meeting on 24 September in relation to Telstra. The good news is that the decision called for was that Telstra be eligible to compete for work on projects funded by the Northern Territory government. The decision was not approved. So much for the opposition's view that I could be bought with an air fare. The ...
Members interjecting.
Mr STONE: ... moment that matter was brought to my attention, I brought it to the attention of the parliament, including the full details of the decision that was taken.
Mr Bailey (Wanguri): Mr Speaker, I move that the statement be noted.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Chief Minister was continuing his response to a question.
Mr COULTER (Leader of Government Business): Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on notice.
Mr Bailey: Mr Speaker, you will not accept it?
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Chief Minister was providing a supplementary answer to a question. It was not a statement. It was an answer to a question.
Page 1694
Mr Bailey: You are resigning.
Mr STONE: No, I am not resigning. I advise members that I contributed a total of $6709.33 to that visit to Atlanta. That comprised $3198.53 for accommodation and $3510.80 in relation to airline tickets.
Mrs Hickey: So what?
Mr STONE: I think it is a pretty important consideration.
Mr Speaker, I should also read the letter that set out the invitation because it was on the basis of this letter that the invitation was accepted, not on the basis of the letter that the Leader of the Opposition tabled so conveniently this morning which would colour this issue. This letter is dated 12 February 1996. It is from Charles Zoi, group managing director and, omitting the formal parts of the letter, it reads:
As you will be aware, the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, the centenary of the modern Olympics and the world's
premier sporting event, is fast approaching. Telstra has had a rich and rewarding association with the
Australian Olympic movement over the past decade and we are very proud to be continuing this association at
both Atlanta and Sydney 2000.
Telstra has recently confirmed its entertainment plans for Atlanta and we were hoping that you and Josephine
could share the excitement of this event with us during the second week of the games. The relevant dates are:
depart Australia on Saturday 27 July through to Monday 5 August, depart Atlanta following the closing ceremony
on Sunday 4 August. Telstra will provide business class air travel and we will be staying at Atlanta's
Underground Hotel and will have seats at each day's major events, including the closing ceremony. We are
also planning evening functions, tours and personal meetings with some of our Olympic athletes.
Page 1693
I hope you will be able to join us for what promises to be an unforgettable experience. David Denton, national
general manager of Telstra's Olympic Unit, will contact you soon to see if you can make it and to begin
arranging details.
I accepted that invitation, but on the clear understanding that I would make a contribution towards the cost of the entire exercise. Consequently, as I have said, I contributed some $6709.33, but that is something that the opposition really does not want to talk about.
The bad news is that I was wrong when I said that I had not sat in Cabinet in relation to a matter involving Telstra. I have.
Mr Bell: Yes.
Mr STONE: The member for MacDonnell interjects - as if he would know. I rose to my feet the moment it was brought to my attention that, in fact, I did sit in a Cabinet meeting on 24 September in relation to Telstra. The good news is that the decision called for was that Telstra be eligible to compete for work on projects funded by the Northern Territory government. The decision was not approved. So much for the opposition's view that I could be bought with an air fare. The ...
Members interjecting.
Mr STONE: ... moment that matter was brought to my attention, I brought it to the attention of the parliament, including the full details of the decision that was taken.
Mr Bailey (Wanguri): Mr Speaker, I move that the statement be noted.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Chief Minister was continuing his response to a question.
Mr COULTER (Leader of Government Business): Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on notice.
Mr Bailey: Mr Speaker, you will not accept it?
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Chief Minister was providing a supplementary answer to a question. It was not a statement. It was an answer to a question.
Page 1694
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016