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Mr TINK: My question is to the Minister for Local Government. Now that police have been asked to investigate claims of a $23 million blow-out in the Oasis project, including allegations of excessive payouts to key figures, can the Minister explain what action the Department of Local Government took with regard to earlier complaints about financial commitments, including that of the East Liverpool Progress Association?
Mr WOODS: The ICAC and the police are investigating this matter. This question demonstrates once again the inexperience of the Opposition. It should know that certain aspects of this matter belong to the ICAC.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Myall Lakes to order.
Mr WOODS: I am awaiting the outcome of the investigations by the ICAC and the police. I am advised that Liverpool councillors Harrington and Dobell-Brown attended Liverpool police station on 15 September to raise concerns about the Oasis project. A further meeting was held with police on 16 September. I am advised that at that meeting the superintendent outlined the role of the police, the ICAC and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission [ASIC] and informed councillors that there was insufficient basis to initiate a police investigation and that no police investigation was contemplated at this point. The superintendent also advised that Liverpool City Council had contacted him and had indicated that it was prepared to co-operate in any investigation. I will continue to watch what happens in this matter and I will consider holding a public inquiry at a later stage if the need arises.
As to the inexperience of the Opposition, in a very short time the Leader of the Opposition has made so many gaffes about local government I could not count them on two hands. On 8 May he asked the Premier to take action on Rockdale City Council. He was told in this House by the Premier that the Government's capacity to dismiss a council was subject to a lengthy public inquiry process. On 15 May, a week later, in a press release he called on me to hold a quick, sharp inquiry in relation to Rockdale City Council. Either he does not listen or he just does not know.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Baulkham Hills to order.
Mr WOODS: What the Leader of the Opposition fails to realise is that under changes made to the Act in 1991 by the previous Coalition Government, a council cannot be sacked until a lengthy public inquiry has been held. That underlines the inexperience not only of the Leader of the Opposition but the whole of its front bench.