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Mr Speaker, we have a great deal of public antipathy against these governments. The ACT Government has already changed as a result of it. That reflects the strength of public opinion out there about Labor at this level. There is no doubt that, before this year is out, it is also going to reflect at the Federal level. That leaves the Liberals to rebuild this Territory and it leaves the Liberals to rebuild the national economy. It is not going to be an easy job, but we will take it on because we have to.

MS FOLLETT (Leader of the Opposition) (3.56): Mr Speaker, this MPI brought on by Mr Kaine really is a sign of the desperation, I believe, of the Government to fill the notice paper and hence take up the time of this Assembly to something like a respectable level.

Mrs Carnell: Excuse me; MPIs are usually brought up by the Opposition.

Mr De Domenico: Where was your MPI? You have had six days. You have not had one yet.

Mr Stefaniak: You have not had any this week. Where is yours? You are so concerned. You have had seven weeks, too.

MR SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition has the floor.

MS FOLLETT: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will respond to the caterwauling opposite. Mr Kaine is trying to shore up support so that he can grasp the next available ministerial vacancy in the Carnell Government.

Mr Hird: No; we work as a team, not like the way you blokes work.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

MS FOLLETT: Mr Speaker, the proposal of Mr Kaine suggests that two Labor governments have together conspired - what nonsense! - to destroy the ACT economy. Nothing could be further from the truth. Over the three years of the previous Assembly all members of the Labor Government worked assiduously to improve the ACT economy and the future of Canberra. Our success is clearly shown by the economic statistics of that three-year period. Mr Kaine, surprisingly, as a former Treasurer, seems totally confused about the ACT budget and the ACT economy. His motion refers to the economy; his speech referred exclusively to the budget. I will not be so confused, Mr Speaker.

I would like to draw your attention to some of the economic indicators. In the period from December 1991 to December 1994 the ACT gross state product grew by over 16 per cent. This growth was exceeded only by the mineral rich States of Queensland and Western Australia, and fractionally by Victoria. Could I have a bit of shush, please?

MR SPEAKER: Yes, please.

Ms McRae: My apologies, Rosemary.


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