Page 558 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 June 1989
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consideration to this particular matter, and a submission is in the process of preparation and will be submitted to Cabinet.
No important aspects are under consideration in relation to that submission. We believe that it is absolutely reprehensible that AGL is taking this action which is effectively seeking to blackmail the Government into making a hasty decision. It is effectively saying to us, "Either you give us our increase by 1 July or we will sack 100 men". This is totally unacceptable behaviour.
The matter will be finalised by the Government in the next few weeks. We will not rush into this particular matter as we need to consider a number of very important community issues related to the prices and charges. The Government recognises the important capital expenditure by AGL over the last few years and the need for this to continue so that all Canberrans have the right of access to natural gas.
But AGL has been profitable in this process. Over the last three years its return of operating profit to shareholders funds has been, respectively, 24 per cent, 16 per cent and 22 per cent. I wish to reiterate that the Government will not be pressured into making a hasty decision on the matter and will be demanding from AGL an undertaking that it will not be standing down any of its contractors or employees.
Natural Gas
MR COLLAERY: My question, on the same subject, is directed to the Minister for Industry, Employment and Education. Will the Government's demands of AGL also include an explanation from it as to why it pursued an extensive gas reticulation system throughout Canberra, arranging for the connections thereto by many elderly people in our community who were not aware that rebates were not offered? Will the Minister use his good offices to intervene to assist pensioners in obtaining a rebate that they all assumed they would get on their rates?
MR WHALAN: I will inquire into that and report further to the Assembly.
Services for Intellectually Disabled
MS MAHER: My question is directed to the Minister for Community Services and Health. I have had a number of inquiries from different community groups in relation to intellectual disability and the lack of coordination between the groups and the services and information they provide. Does the Government have any plan for future co-ordination of services delivered to people with
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