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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 9 Hansard (2 September) . . Page.. 2748 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

a massive surplus of land and dwellings that we did not choose to add to. Rather than do what those opposite did - they continued to sell land just to make their budget look better, but they took the bottom out of the market - we chose to take a sensible approach in cooperation - - -

Ms Reilly: Yes, it is better to sell public housing!

Mr Berry: You sell houses.

Mr Humphries: Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order again. We have had nothing but a continuous barrage of interjections from those opposite. This is not the protection that the standing orders provide to any speaker, particularly the Chief Minister of the Territory trying to answer a question from the Opposition.

MR SPEAKER: Yes, I would like you to repeat - - -

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I think I have answered this question - - -

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. Your invitation to the Chief Minister to repeat her answer is welcomed, but when you invite her would you also ask her to be relevant in accordance with the standing orders?

MR SPEAKER: No; the Chief Minister can answer the question as she sees fit.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I thought speaking about the massive surplus of land and dwellings left by the Labor Government in 1994 and early 1995 was very relevant. I have to say that that is the bottom line here. We have said that the downsizing of the Federal Government has made it very difficult in the ACT. It has caused enormous problems in Canberra; but, rather than sit on our hands, as those opposite seem to believe is appropriate, and hope that some guardian angel comes down and fixes it all up, the fact is that we have put in place policies that have produced an extra 7,300 jobs, that have meant that our motor vehicle registrations have been up for nine months in a row, that have meant that our trend retail figures are above national averages, but as importantly - - -

Mr Whitecross: Tourist accommodation - - -

MR SPEAKER: I warn Mr Whitecross.

Mr Humphries: Mr Speaker, this really is getting too much. It has just been continuous.

MR SPEAKER: There are three of you on warnings now.

Mr Humphries: There would be more words in the Hansard from the Opposition than there would be from the Chief Minister.

MR SPEAKER: I warn Mr Whitecross. There are three of you on warnings now. You may have a very empty Opposition bench if this continues.

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