Page 4744 - Week 15 - Thursday, 16 December 1993
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GOVERNMENT'S PERFORMANCE DURING 1993
Discussion of Matter of Public Importance
MADAM SPEAKER: I have received a letter from Mr Humphries proposing that a matter of public importance be submitted to the Assembly for discussion, namely:
The ACT Government's performance during 1993.
MR HUMPHRIES (3.45): Madam Speaker, I am afraid that the jury has come back and things are not looking too good. I was trying to think of some evidence, Madam Speaker, to help me work out what the ACT people really think about this Government. I flicked on the radio this morning at about 10 to 9, and I must say that it was not too good. There were a lot of angry people on the telephone. They were ringing up a certain radio station, the name of which slips my mind for the moment.
Madam Speaker, I think it is fair to acknowledge that the last year, 1993, has been a difficult year for the Follett Government. We can see some of the problems that have beset this Government in the course of the last year. In September it delivered its budget - probably the worst received budget in any community since the beginning of self-government.
Mr Connolly: But you say that every year, Mr Humphries.
MR HUMPHRIES: It is true every year, I am afraid. Madam Speaker, I must concede that the budget situation is in part due to the fact that there has been a severe worsening of the ACT's position in terms of Commonwealth funding of the ACT, particularly in the last 12 months as a result of the recent Grants Commission report and decisions made by the Commonwealth Government. That is a factor to be taken into account.
There has been a growth, or a fluctuation at least, in youth unemployment in the ACT. Although unemployment generally is probably better in the ACT than it is in the rest of Australia, there are still some very worrying trends. We have had rising industrial unrest under the ACT Labor Government - a matter which always strikes me as being rather strange. There has been a breakdown of relations with the union movement since this Government came to power. Of course, we have seen some considerable fighting within the Australian Labor Party concerning their preselection system and no doubt many other things as well. Madam Speaker, I do not think I need mention the small matter of the Electoral (Amendment) Bill brought down today.
In my remarks today I want to focus on Ms Rosemary Follett herself, because she is the Chief Minister of this Government. She is the person who bears chief responsibility for its affairs. She has had a very hands-off style in dealing with the issues faced by government. She has been the leader of the Government, and it is a government that has been in some difficulty; so naturally there has been some focus on her, on her role and on her style. That has tended to lead to some criticism of her.
Madam Speaker, there are two main problems with Ms Follett's approach to government. One is that she seems to have a very hands-off approach towards the problems of her Ministers. She is not willing to step in and take a direct decision to bring her Ministers into line and knock some heads together when that is appropriate. She is also, unfortunately, beset by a tendency to let things
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