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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 5 Hansard (13 May) . . Page.. 1270 ..

MR BERRY (continuing):

Today Carnell claims Labor down played the important issue of the emerging superannuation liability. Wrong again Mrs Carnell!

What is certain is that the most important economic issue in the ACT is the policies of the Carnell and Howard Liberal Governments.

Mrs Carnell: Mr Speaker, does this have anything to do with superannuation?

MR BERRY: Yes, it has. I am coming to it.

MR SPEAKER: Come to it now.

MR BERRY: It goes on:

Ever since Mrs Carnell took office the economic situation for the ACT has deteriorated ... the deterioration accelerated with the election of the Howard Government.

The handling of emerging superannuation liability for the Territory is a good example of the difference in policies of Labor and Liberal in office.

The superannuation was handed to the Territory - unfunded - with Self Government. Labor recognised the problem and began work, responsibly, to fund superannuation for its workers.

The Carnell prescription - reduce the liability by reducing the benefit to workers. In a classic ideological move Mrs Carnell is proposing to reduce the emerging liability by cutting the level of benefit.

Mrs Carnell: Who did that?

MR BERRY: Have a look at your budget paper. The press release goes on:

I suppose next we will see Mrs Carnell proposing to reduce her salary bill by cutting salaries or reducing annual leave for ACT public servants.

That would not surprise us. It continues:

The trouble with Mrs Carnell is that instead of tackling the problem she tackles those who dare to speak out ...

I seek leave to table the press release, Mr Speaker.

Leave granted.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

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