Page 517 - Week 02 - Thursday, 25 February 1993
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MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, as members know, I did indeed seek from Treasury an analysis of the impact that Dr Hewson's Fightback package would have on the ACT and I tabled that document in this Assembly. I recall Mr Kaine saying publicly at the time I took that action that, in his view, that was a misuse of public funds. I wonder whether he would level the same accusation at his Liberal colleague Mr Fahey. I have not heard him say that. I requested the preparation of that document because I believe that a government has an obligation to consider and to plan for the albeit unlikely eventuality that Dr Hewson should take government federally. It does appear that Mr Fahey felt the same way about that. I further considered that it was the community's right to know what would be the impact upon them of the alternative Federal government, and for that reason I made the document public.
In looking at that document, it is quite clear from the Treasury analysis that the Fightback package would have extremely detrimental effects on the ACT. For a start, there is the 5 per cent cut in general revenue funding to all the States and Territories - and I am sure Mr Fahey has cast his eye across that one as well. Medicare funding will be slashed by $500m. I am sure that that one is in Mr Fahey's Treasury analysis as well. A whole host of Commonwealth specific purpose funding programs will also be cut specifically by Dr Hewson's Fightback package. I am quite sure that Mr Fahey's Treasury analysis contains that information.
Madam Speaker, the overall impact for the ACT is some $340m over the three-year period. I am advised that the impact for New South Wales is some $1.8 billion - a negative impact - for the same sort of period. The reason that I have released the document is in order to inform the community properly of an alternative government's proposals for the Territory. Of course, the reason that Mr Fahey has not released it is that it would be of grave embarrassment to his Liberal colleague Dr Hewson in this election campaign.
Members' Staff
MR HUMPHRIES: My question is also to the Chief Minister. Can the Chief Minister tell the Assembly whether it is true that a review has recently been conducted by a senior officer in the Office of Public Sector Management into the staff resourcing of the offices of Mr Michael Moore and Ms Helen Szuty? Is it true that the review recommended that staff funding be increased to both those members? Is it also true that you have approved, within the last few days, an increase in staff resourcing to each of those members to the tune of about $12,000 each? Was the request for additional funding put on any particular basis, for example, that the Independents need special resourcing to deal expeditiously with urgent government legislation? Will you be reviewing the staff resourcing of other members of this Assembly?
MS FOLLETT: I thank Mr Humphries for the question. Can I remind all Assembly members that on 21 May last year, in answer to a very similar question from Mr Humphries, I advised this Assembly that any member who wanted their staffing reviewed should approach me through you, Madam Speaker, and
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