Page 829 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 2 May 2007
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dramatically low level of about 10 per cent of the long-term average. At this point, as of today, inflows are as bad as they were in the year that we imagined was a complete aberration, a year of 10 per cent flows. That highlights the gravity of the situation that we face.
In the first four months of 2007, our catchment has received 4.6 gigalitres of water. In this period last year, the figure was 6.5 gigalitres. We have received 2 gigalitres less into our dams to date, in 2007, than we received last year. The long-term average inflows into our dams for this period, January to April, is 43.5 gigalitres. We have received 4.6 to date this year, against a long-term average of 43.5. It illustrates how grave the situation that we face is, in the context of having received those 10 per cent of inflows across the entire year last year.
We cannot be sure or assume that, despite reasonable recent rain, and only reasonable—I am not sure whether the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts that the drought is over are ambitious or positive—the El Nino that we are told has passed will be followed by a breaking of the drought. It is relevant, though, that Actew has done significant worst-case planning. That is why we have pumped from the river now. That is why we have this capacity to take this water. (Time expired.)
Public service—credit card use
MR SMYTH: My question is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, information obtained as a result of a Canberra Times FOI revealed that on 4 June 2006 an employee identified as employee A spent $644.71 at the Glenfiddich Warehouse in Stockholm.
As an example, this individual discretionary expenditure represents the average increases to rates and other local government charges introduced in the 2006-07 budget for, on average, two Ainslie residences. Chief Minister, what was this money expended on?
MR STANHOPE: I thank Mr Smyth for the question. Where was this?
Mr Smyth: It was at the Glenfiddich Warehouse in Stockholm, Chief Minister, on 4 June 2006.
MR STANHOPE: I do not have a brief on that, which I do regret. Having regard to the interest of the opposition in these matters, I will get a detailed briefing on all of the expenditures and provide information on every single expenditure. I regret that I do not have it.
I understand, however, from my colleague the Minister for Health that the executive involved is a member of the Department of Health. Ms Gallagher actually has those details.
MS GALLAGHER: Yes, I was briefed on expenditure of an official from ACT Health. From my recollection—and I will correct the record if I am wrong—it related to expenses whilst attending a conference overseas. I can provide you with the
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