Page 3043 - Week 09 - Thursday, 13 October 2022
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MR BARR: The fact that you can even ask the question to the precise dollar tells you how transparent the government is. It is there in the budget papers. The government publishes our net debt and our net financial liability as well as our net worth, the $20 billion of net worth that the territory has. Our assets far exceed our liabilities. We have an AAA credit rating, and we continue to improve the budget position, as I outlined in my comprehensive presentation on this area this morning—a $380 million improvement on the previous fiscal year and more than $800 million of fiscal improvement over the forward estimates period.
Mr Parton: There are some Eskimos looking for ice out the front!
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Parton, next time you will be warned.
MR BARR: Once again, if the opposition believe that there is too much debt or deficit—
Ms Lawder: Point of order, Madam Speaker. Under standing order 118, the minister is not to debate the topic but to answer the question. He is talking about what we may or may not do.
MADAM SPEAKER: I believe he is responding to the question appropriately.
Ms Lawder: Not really.
MADAM SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Lawder.
Mr Hanson: Madam Speaker, on the point of order, if there was a question asked and the Chief Minister talks about, “This is the opposition’s position and this is our position,” that is clearly debating the issue, which is not consistent with the standing orders.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, I believe he is in order. Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Mr Barr: Madam Speaker, on the point of order, you may not have heard—but I would advise you to check the Hansard—Ms Lawder’s reflection on your ruling, which was most unparliamentary.
MADAM SPEAKER: I did note it, Mr Barr.
ACT Policing—Operation TORIC
MR HANSON: My question is to the acting minister for police. Minister, of the individuals arrested by police under Operation TORIC, how many have since been granted bail?
MR STEEL: I think Mr Hanson knows that I will have to take that question on notice, in order to get the exact detail from the work that ACT Policing is doing under that operation.
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