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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 5 Hansard (14 May) . . Page.. 1386 ..

Mr Whitecross (continuing):

for Canberra - certainly does have some vision. A billion dollars for the Federation Fund is something that I applaud. I also believe that some of the other parts of the budget - things such as a fund to allow small IT companies and high-tech companies to access borrowings to allow them to bring their innovations to fruition - are something that local companies here will be able to get lots of benefit from.

There is no point in belly-aching, as those opposite seem to want to do. We do not hear those opposite apologising for the $10 billion black hole that their colleagues left. We did not see those opposite apologising for all of the Public Service jobs that were shed under the previous Labor Government. The thing that is very important to this economy is to get an economy that is balanced in the private sector and the public sector. It is about getting the economy moving, creating jobs in this city, getting a museum up and running, getting a fast train, getting an international airport and getting new businesses to this city. If all those opposite do is belly-ache, whinge and complain, no wonder everybody thinks they are a bit of a joke.

MR BERRY: I ask a supplementary question. We have a Chief Minister, it seems, who supports a vision which cuts 4,000 jobs out of the Public Service in the ACT, cuts $27m out of - - -

Mr Humphries: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. You have in the past ruled quite clearly about preambles to supplementary questions. This is a statement, not a question.

MR SPEAKER: Do you have a question, Mr Berry?

MR BERRY: Do we have a Chief Minister who supports a vision which cuts 4,000 jobs out of the Public Service in the ACT, cuts $27m out of capital works in the ACT and puts off a National Museum until 1999? Do you still support that vision, Chief Minister?

MRS CARNELL: I support a vision that gives a National Museum to this city and that ensures a very fast train is up and running. This side of the house has made it very clear, Mr Speaker - I have on lots of occasions - that we believe the Federal Government downsizing is unacceptable to Canberra. But there are two ways to go. You can belly-ache and do nothing about it, like those opposite, or you can get on with the job.

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. We would just like to know whether she supports the vision or not.

MR SPEAKER: Would you sit down. There is no point of order.

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