Will Dave Deliver On Fingerprints?

Wayne Berry - Member for Ginninderra

Media Statement - 7 March 2000

"Assembly member Dave Rugendyke will be tested on his concerns over Kate Carnell's involvement in the ACTEW part privatisation / sale," Wayne Berry MLA said today.

Mr Rugendyke said on ABC radio this morning:

• I am seeking assurances that the Board of ACTEW and the Board of AGL will be left to do their business on a commercial basis without political interference, and particularly without the Chief Minister's fingerprints all over it.

"However as a voting shareholder of ACTEW on behalf of the voters of the ACT, Kate Carnell has already given the thumbs up for the deal to be progressed despite the vague information that is currently available," according to Mr Berry.

"This is the first set of Kate Carnell's fingerprints on the deal and they should set alarm bells ringing for Mr Rugendyke given his extreme concern of the Bruce stadium fiasco.

"Mr Rugendyke has a right to be concerned about this Government's incompetent financial management which has left a legacy for which future generations will pay.

"But if Mr Rugendyke is not concerned about the first set of fingerprints on the ACTEW AGL deal he should be most concerned about the second when he votes for the Government's proposal.

"This is where he gives his seal of approval to Mrs Carnell and Gary Humphries to do what they like when they give their written approval under the Territory Owned Corporations Act for the ACTEW privatisation to be signed, sealed and delivered.

"Mr Rugendyke is deluding himself if he thinks that Kate Carnell is not as involved in this deal as she was with Bruce Stadium. Her fingerprints are all over it Dave, and another set is on the way if you approve the ACTEW AGL deal put forward by Kate Carnell", Mr Berry concluded.