Page 2169 - Week 10 - Thursday, 26 October 1989

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MR HUMPHRIES: Well, it is not enough to consult with us. You said the other day that you were directly consulting with the community. You cannot have it both ways. Whom are you consulting with? The fact is you are not consulting with anybody very well at all.

The facts speak for themselves. When we debate the optometrists Bill next week we will just see how paltry this argument about consultation is. The fact is that you had to hold a meeting at 8 o'clock this morning because your efforts at consultation had been so pathetically weak that you had to fix the hole in the dyke this morning. Apparently even that was not enough, and you failed.

Mr Speaker, I think the weakness of the Government's case for this Bill has been amply demonstrated by members on this side of the house. I do not hold any hopes that the Government will withdraw the legislation, but I can only say that, if it is passed and we see businesses start to close or we see a decline in the manufacturing base of this Territory, we have only one group of people to blame, and they sit opposite me in this chamber.

Debate interrupted.

ADJOURNMENT

MR SPEAKER: Order! It being 4.30 pm, I propose the question:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

Mr Berry: I require the question to be put forthwith without debate.

Question resolved in the negative.

PAYROLL TAX (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989

Debate resumed.

MR STEFANIAK (4.30): In relation to this debate on the payroll tax I think it is important that the views of the private sector be put to the Assembly. Indeed, the Government has made much of the role the private sector will pay - I mean play - in the future of the ACT, indeed, the major role.

Mr Kaine: You are right, pay.

MR STEFANIAK: Pay is right, yes, indeed. I think my friend Mr Humphries was wrong. I think it was $41m, Gary, not $40m.


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