Mr ELFERINK - 2003-08-14
Now that the minister has given a cast iron commitment that Larapinta Stage 4 will be turned off by early 2004, will the minister state that he will move to acquire the land if that deal is not achieved by that time?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, that is a very interesting hypothetical question. No, the government is not going to acquire the land for the simple reason that last night I had a discussion with the Chairman of the Central Land Council who works with the Lhere Artepe people. I asked him how they think it is progressing. He assured me it was progressing very well, and very soon we are going to get a result. The reality is we have a signed agreement that they are going to develop their half of the deal, and we are going to develop our half of the deal. This is going to happen, so there is no need to acquire land in Alice Springs.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, that is a very interesting hypothetical question. No, the government is not going to acquire the land for the simple reason that last night I had a discussion with the Chairman of the Central Land Council who works with the Lhere Artepe people. I asked him how they think it is progressing. He assured me it was progressing very well, and very soon we are going to get a result. The reality is we have a signed agreement that they are going to develop their half of the deal, and we are going to develop our half of the deal. This is going to happen, so there is no need to acquire land in Alice Springs.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016