Page 1342 - Week 07 - Thursday, 24 August 1989
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MR SPEAKER: Order! Please address your questions through the Chair.
Mr Kaine: Mr Speaker, I would like her to answer the question.
MS FOLLETT: Mr Speaker, I do have some difficulty with the question. As I say, it is purely hypothetical, and I would also say that I am not strictly required to announce policy initiatives through questions without notice. However, I will do my best. The intention, I believe, of the policy there is basically to preserve government enterprises as they exist. I am sure all members will be aware of the kinds of government enterprises that do exist in the ACT. There are those that are purely ACT enterprises. We have a few ourselves, within our own jurisdiction.
Also, of course, it is true to say that there are some Federal Government enterprises in the ACT, one of which I visited not so long ago - the Australian Government Publishing Service, which is the largest publishing service in Australia and which I think, as a very major employer in the ACT, is an incredible asset to this Territory. The intention of the policy, as I understand it, at the present time, is to ensure that government enterprises like that remain in public hands.
MR KAINE: I have a supplementary question. Can I take it from your comments, Chief Minister, that you do not intend to open up any additional public business enterprises other than those that currently exist? Is that what the answer to the question implies?
MS FOLLETT: If the question is not to be ruled out of order, Mr Speaker, I will again do my best with it. I think it is exactly the same question that I just answered.
Mr Kaine: But you did not answer it.
MR SPEAKER: Order! You may take the question on notice, Chief Minister.
Mr Kaine: Mr Speaker, on a point of order; we, in the Opposition, constantly raise the criticism of this Government that the members refuse to answer questions. That question is quite straightforward. There was a Labor Party policy that said that in government they will do certain things. I am merely asking the Minister whether she intends to implement the policy. Now, it is a straightforward question. There is nothing improper or out of order about it, but as usual the Minister refuses to answer the question. I think there is a point of order at issue here and, instead of her appealing as to whether or not the question is out of order, she should be directed, I submit, Mr Speaker, to answer it. This is open and consultative government we are talking about, Mr Speaker.
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