Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 7 Hansard (10 July) . . Page.. 2392 ..

MS CARNELL (continuing):

Mr Deputy Speaker, let's get down to tin tacks here. There is no choice but to pass the SIP amendment here. It is not my preferred position. It is not Mr Moore's preferred position. It is not Mr Smyth's preferred position. But what we do need is a budget. We need to have a budget for health and for education. We need those extra police. We need to be able to pay first home buyers $7,000 to allow them to go out and become home owners. We need to be able to achieve all of the things that this good budget achieves. The only way we can do that is by passing the budget today. The only way we can pass the budget today is through a negotiated position with the crossbenchers. Mr Deputy Speaker, we have a negotiated position.

Mr Stanhope also made a point about why those opposite did not bring forward a repeal bill. The reason they didn't is because we have a negotiated position. This is not a repeal bill and it is not about going ahead immediately. It is about coming up with a negotiated position that we can all live with and pass the budget. That negotiated position is not a repeal bill, is not getting rid of the SIP, but is about passing the amendment bill that we are debating now that will mean that the SIP cannot come into law until after 1 January 2002.

This gives the people of Canberra an opportunity to vote on that issue if they choose to at the next election. Again, that is not my preferred position. I do not think it is Mr Osborne's preferred position or Mr Rugendyke's preferred position. They would rather that there be no legislation at all. Mr Deputy Speaker, it is a negotiated position, a position that we can wear. I have to say that when we do reach agreement with Mr Rugendyke and Mr Osborne, and Mr Kaine as well, we know that they will stick by that agreement.

Mr Kaine: When are you going to seek to reach agreement with me? You have never discussed it with me.

MS CARNELL: I did. That's not quite true, Trevor.

Mr Kaine: When over the last three days have you spoken to me on this issue?

MS CARNELL: Mr Deputy Speaker, when we reach an agreement we know that we can rely on those opposite to-

Mr Berry: Mr Deputy Speaker, I take a point of order. Those opposite are quick to rise about any imputation. The Chief Minister just imputed that Mr Kaine wasn't telling the truth, and I think she should-

MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, I don't believe so. Carry on.

MS CARNELL: No, I didn't, but I am happy to withdraw anything that was not appropriate. Mr Deputy Speaker, the fact is that we have reached a negotiated position that will allow the budget to go through. That requires the SIP implementation date to be put off to 1 January 2002, until after the next election. That allows us to get on with the job of government.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .