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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 6 Hansard (15 May) . . Page.. 1643 ..


MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

Even if our overseas investments are nil, we are seeing already, with other results, much better outcomes than expected. We should be looking at a result at least as good as the $12.3 million that was put forward in the budget for this financial year, brought down in May last year. We have already heard that, in one item of government revenue alone-conveyancing stamp duty-the increased revenue is $40 million.

Mr Quinlan also points out that there is a $12 million item brought forward from a previous year. Apparently that was revenue not collected in the previous year but collected in this year. That may well be the case. You could even say it was an abnormal item-the kind of abnormal item that Mr Quinlan suggested ought not be taken into account, with things like the $344 million figure with which we are so familiar in its place.

Mr Speaker, whatever the ins and outs, I think this figure is pointing very clearly in one direction-that this territory will not be in a loss this year, that there is not a dire financial situation to face, that there is no black hole, and that there is consequently no pretext whatsoever for the government to be looking at a slash and burn budget. It faces a very bright situation, and the financial outlook is very strong.

Debate (on motion by Mr Smyth ) adjourned to the next sitting.

Questions without notice

Gungahlin Drive extension

MR CORBELL: Mr Speaker, for the information of members, I have some additional information on the Eldemar report, which Mr Pratt asked me about in question time today. The report also makes some assumptions about prevailing noise and air quality conditions. The report assumes that prevailing noise and air quality are satisfactory, without undertaking any assessment of ambient conditions. The air quality comments in the report are based on information that is now more than five years old. No attempt has been made to update this information.

The report also makes conclusions about noise and air quality which have not been substantiated by accurate information and detailed investigations. The government is carrying out the work necessary to produce findings that are based on accurate and detailed research.

Mental health facilities

Discussion of matter of public importance

MR SPEAKER: I have received a letter from Mr Smyth proposing that a matter of public importance be submitted to the Assembly, namely:

The need for the ACT Government to provide a much wider and comprehensive range of mental health facilities in the A.C.T.

MR SMYTH

(3.43): Mr Speaker, this is an important issue for the community. It is the community who have been driving the discussion on the types and range of facilities required for mental health in the ACT. I want to start by putting on the record some of our achievements in the last two terms of government. That saw places like I'Anson


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