Page 1634 - Week 08 - Thursday, 28 September 1989
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not been decided exactly what tenders are going to be accepted.
Commercial Research
MR JENSEN: Mr Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister for Industry, Employment and Education. I refer the Minister to the publication Canberra Residential Activity Report, a quarterly production of the Commercial Research Bureau in the Office of Industry and Development. In view of the disclaimer in this publication which states, "The ACT Government makes no warranty as to the information's accuracy and completeness and accepts no responsibility to any person who uses this information for any purpose", my question is: how can a publication on which no reliance can be placed by business be said to fulfil the objectives of the Commercial Research Bureau's stated objective of assisting Canberra's economic development, and should the bureau's energies be better directed to establishing more reliable economic, market and demographic figures?
MR WHALAN: When you get asked a question of that sort it really goes to show the calibre of people who push through legislation on fluoride and give priority to that over other important business which we could be attending to in this Assembly. This sort of disclaimer, Mr Speaker, is a normal disclaimer in documents of that sort and it is intended to protect governments; it is intended to protect the taxpayers; although, when we consider the line which the Residents Rally took in relation to payment of Mr Stevenson's staff, it is hardly a concern to him to protect the taxpayers.
Mr Jensen: On a point of order, Mr Speaker; I trust that you will request the Minister to answer the question and not debate other issues.
MR SPEAKER: The point is upheld. Please proceed, Minister.
MR WHALAN: This is a question which relates to the protection of the interests of the taxpayers, Mr Speaker. It clearly shows an inconsistency between the stand that Mr Jensen took when he supported Mr Stevenson's practice of paying his clerical staff in such a way that they - - -
Mr Jensen: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Minister, please get to the question asked. Please proceed, Deputy Chief Minister.
MR WHALAN: You have not heard his point of order.
MR SPEAKER: I have sat him down as well, thank you. Please proceed to the point.
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