Rally Bombshell - Another Kate Carnell Disaster In The Offing

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson on Tourism

Media Statement - 26 October 2000

How many more Kate Carnell disasters does Territory have to withstand before the disgraced former Chief Minister is ditched completely Labor Shadow Tourism Minister Wayne Berry said today.

"Today's disastrous news that the future of the Rally of Canberra is under a cloud is just another to add to a string of Kate Carnell disasters which have to be tolerated by the Canberra community," Mr Berry said.

"The hospital implosion, the Futsal slab, the Floriade fee, the Bruce Stadium, the 'Feel the Power' campaign, rubbery V8 car race figures and now the Rally of Canberra is in doubt. It seems that each day is another reminder of the incompetence of the ousted Chief Minister which the ACT taxpayer is left to carry.

"According to the then boastful Chief Minister the Canberra economy would receive $2 million directly and media coverage to 56 countries with a viewing audience worth millions of dollars of international exposure. Add this loss to the disasters of the past and the appointment if Mrs Carnell to remain minister in charge of these matters is farcical beyond belief.

"The Territory's new Chief Minister has wobbled from indecision to indecision since reluctantly accepting the job. How long will he be able to stand the embarrassment of his protective appointment of Kate Carnell to a highly paid ministry in the face of the mounting reminders of her being levered out of the Chief Minister's chair in disgrace!

"To add insult to injury Kate Carnell is still in charge of areas where she has wrought so much damage - and now the Rally of Canberra may be added to the list," Mr Berry concluded.