Page 531 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 20 March 1990
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Mr Whalan: On a point of order, Mr Speaker; there is an opportunity on the business paper for ministerial statements. This is clearly a ministerial statement, and I suggest that it be dealt with in that regard.
MR SPEAKER: Order! I will make a statement on points of order later. That was not a point of order per se; that was a statement, Mr Whalan. I will make a statement on that later in the proceedings. I call Mr Duby.
Mr Whalan: On a point of order, Mr Speaker; I refer you to the standing orders in relation to the answering of questions. Clearly this answer is in breach of standing orders. It is a dorothy dixer. Hector Kinloch has been set up to ask this question. It is turning question time into a period of ministerial statements so that the time is used up and the Chief Minister can avoid being pressed on matters that will embarrass him and his Government.
MR SPEAKER: That again was a statement, Mr Whalan. I call Mr Duby.
MR DUBY: It is very, very interesting to hear that Mr Whalan does not regard this as a matter of importance, that he is not willing to have these matters of concern, of great benefit to the ACT economy, brought to public attention. They are matters of great importance.
Mr Whalan: What are you doing about the staff at the bureau? Are you going to sack them?
MR DUBY: Direct support has already been provided by the Tourist Bureau to assist the World Council of Churches with the running of the conference, and the bureau has outfitted the Council's new office at the churches centre, Pilgrim House. The bureau has also provided $20,000 in this financial year and next to appoint a professional conference organiser to oversee arrangements for this conference which, as I have said, is one of the largest on the world circuit. The Government has also coordinated the efforts of its agencies to ensure that they work closely with the organisers and the relevant Federal Government bodies to make sure that the conference runs smoothly, which I am sure it will, given bipartisan support.
Health Promotion Fund
MR BERRY: My question is directed to the Treasurer. The Follett Labor Government's budget contained provision for a health promotion fund in a trust account. This account was to hold revenue from the increase in tobacco tax. Will the Treasurer inform the Assembly of the action that he has taken to set up this account?
MR KAINE: I remind Mr Berry that I am not a one-man band; I am not Minister for everything.
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