Mr BAIRD (1:01 PM) —There are not many occasions on which I might agree with the member for Werriwa, but this is one of them. I actually rise to speak on much the same issue, on the NRMA. Having had experience, when I was a minister in New South Wales, of Richard Talbot, who was an employee in the RTA and was a perpetual leaker, I agree with him totally. He has been nothing but a destructive force on the NRMA since he joined the board, and he should be right at the top of the list to be removed from the board. Ms Singleton's contribution has been totally negative to anything to do with road construction in the whole of New South Wales. She also has no right to represent the interests of motorists in the very fine state of New South Wales.

Having been once asked by Nick Whitlam to join his team and run for the board of the NRMA when I left state politics and having declined the opportunity—I am of course glad that I did—I followed this with interest. Certainly his comments are worthy of support. The new chairman, Ross Turnbull, has called for the whole of the board to resign so that a new board can be introduced. That seems totally fair because there is no-one in New South Wales who would not agree that the NRMA board has become totally dysfunctional, totally incompetent in terms of what it set out to do originally, and totally factionalised with internal politics that leave this place for dead.

The prime concerns of the NRMA should be first and foremost to look after the interests and needs of the motorists in New South Wales—both regarding safety of the roads and the construction of new roads across the network. In my own area, when the F6 was recently cancelled we heard not a word from Mr Talbot or Ms Singleton expressing their concerns that motorists in my area were condemned for many long years to not having a decent road out to the area.

As an organisation, the NRMA has a long history. In my area we have some of Sydney's worst traffic snarls and we have the second worst accident black spot at the Fiveways roundabout. Motorists in my area are not interested in the dysfunction at the top of the NRMA; they are concerned that a van gets there quickly if they have broken down and they are concerned to have better representation of their interests in the public domain. They deserve representation by a body that concentrates on the issues rather than the personality clashes that constantly occur.

The problem came to a head at an extraordinary general meeting that was held at the Sydney Convention Centre on 17 October. This meeting was a demonstration of the sad state of affairs of the NRMA. It was called on the basis of a requisition with 100 signatures on it, the minimum requirement under the NRMA's constitution. There were 100 signatures out of the two million members of the NRMA statewide, causing $4 million to be spent on calling an extra meeting.

The true intentions of those who called the meeting and the extent to which the NRMA has become politicised became clear when busloads of members began arriving at the convention centre about a quarter of an hour before the meeting was due to start. From all reports, the behaviour of many in this crowd was appalling. I hear that when new President Ross Turnbull asked for a moment's silence to remember those lost in Bali, there were many in the audience who simply ignored this request.

I welcome the appointment of Mr Ross Turnbull to the presidency of this troubled organisation. He has a tough job ahead and I wish him well. He has already demonstrated his ability to take tough decisions in other areas in public life and likewise at the NRMA by closing down that meeting in the face of heavy protests due to the fact that not all of the people who turned up could actually fit into the venue.

In the weeks following the meeting that was called to consider two motions to remove separate factions of directors, Mr Turnbull has requested that all board members resign their positions and submit themselves to the members for re-election. This request has not been met. However, the issue will come to a head at a forthcoming AGM when there will be a board spill. On behalf of those members who are not getting out of the NRMA what they deserve, I would say to all directors that it is desirable that there be a major renewal of the board at this meeting. We hope to see a sea change in the organisation. We look forward to seeing a board of directors that is responsive, accountable and, above all, looking after the needs of its two million members, not their own power base. I support the member for Werriwa in his call for reform. I would also say to the current members of the board, `Get out of the way' to make way for those who have the genuine interests and needs of the motorists of New South Wales at heart, not their own internal faction fights.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Jenkins)—Order! To ensure that the Main Committee does not believe that the question before the chair is that the NRMA should be reformed, the question actually before the chair is that the Main Committee do now adjourn.