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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 5 Hansard (15 May) . . Page.. 1490 ..
MRS CARNELL (continuing):
I cannot answer questions on what might be Commonwealth money, but I was very pleased to see in the Commonwealth budget yesterday an actual increase in the amount of money for disabilities. Of course, we do not have all of the details of what that means; but there was an actual increase, which was good news.
MS TUCKER: I have a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. I was informed by the Chief Minister in a letter recently that it was Minister Stefaniak's area. I think my question must be: Who is taking responsibility for this issue?
MR STEFANIAK: I do not know whether it is what you refer to, Ms Tucker, but there is some program which a constituent wrote to me about which is up for review and would recommence on 1 July. It is being reconsidered and I think that - - -
Ms Tucker: That is what I am talking about.
MR STEFANIAK: That is being evaluated. I have not received any recommendations yet as a result of that evaluation of that particular program.
Ms Tucker: So my question still stands.
MR STEFANIAK: If that is what you are after, we might be talking about the same thing. I recently asked the department, I think yesterday, in relation to that particular program, to get back to me as soon as possible, so I could respond to that constituent who has a little boy who would receive considerable assistance, as would the family, as a result of that program. If that is what you are referring to, Ms Tucker - - -
Ms Tucker: It is.
MR STEFANIAK: I am chasing up the department on that. As well as getting back to my constituent, I will get back to you, so you can get back to your constituent.
MR CORBELL: Mr Speaker, my question without notice is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, I refer to your recent attempt to have the Bega cheese packaging plant located in the ACT. Chief Minister, as you are aware, the directors of the Bega Cooperative are planning to approach the New South Wales Government to see whether they are willing to counter your offer of land and tax incentives in order to keep the plant or to have the plant in Bega. Are you also aware of reports that the ACT offer for the Bega plant is now $6m, not $5m, as reported last week? Last week, on ABC radio, you said you would not get into a bidding war over the Bega plant. Is it not the reality that your attempt to poach a major employer from a regional centre has landed you in a bidding war with New South Wales - a point you have already confirmed by the fact that they approached you?
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