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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 5 (Hansard) 16 May) . . Page.. 1353 ..

MR SPEAKER: The Minister was asked a question, which she is answering comprehensively.

MRS CARNELL: Actually, quite quickly. We were pleased to be able to tell the Mount Stromlo Observatory that the ACT Government would contribute $200,000 to the construction of the facility. As Mr Moore interjected earlier, what that will mean is jobs in construction; it will mean jobs when the centre is up and operating; and, of course, it will mean indirect jobs. That means extra tourists. That will mean people actually working out there in the community. It is this sort of use of ACT Government finances that I believe is appropriate to produce jobs in this city. It means that this Government is actually getting out there and doing things, Mr Speaker - something that the previous Government certainly did not do.

Rates System

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I just want to elaborate on the first question. By the way, I am very happy to give Mr Whitecross the copy. I thought I had made that clear. I am sorry; I do not have it today. But I certainly can get it for the Assembly. I was always happy to give it to them.

Ms Follett: Send for it.

MR SPEAKER: Will you stop waving your hands around.

Ms Follett: No, I will not.

VISITORS

MR SPEAKER: I would like to welcome to this question time a group from the University of the Third Age. I hope that you find the visit to your Assembly instructive.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Very Fast Train Project

MR MOORE: Mr Speaker, to make question time even more instructive than usual, I am going to ask my question of Mr Trevor Kaine, as chair of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee. I have not given him notice of this question at all; but, Mr Speaker, we can expect - and I am sure that we will get - a good, thorough answer to my question. Mr Kaine, you have recently raised in the media the possibility of a further player in the very fast train stakes for Canberra. Can you explain why you have taken an interest in MagLev and whether you think that that particular train should replace Speedrail? What action are you taking, in your role as chair of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee, to ensure the best possible deal for the people of the ACT and, indeed, the people of Australia?

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