Page 5405 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 16 November 2011

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MR HARGREAVES: A supplementary to the Treasurer. Treasurer, what would the amount of $36.8 million fund in the current budget, perhaps?

MR BARR: Over the full period of the budget outyears, this amount that the Canberra Liberals have dedicated to other particular purposes would go a long way to covering the increased salary costs associated with delivering pay parity for ACT teachers. It has been an issue that the shadow minister has sought to agitate. It would also provide additional ambulance officers—in the order of 60.

Mrs Dunne: Is this a political announcement? Could I seek your direction, Mr Speaker?

MR BARR: As political parties we make choices.

MR SPEAKER: One moment, Mr Barr.

Mrs Dunne: I seek your direction, Mr Speaker. It would be inappropriate for the Treasurer to be making policy announcements in answer to a question. Is it not the case that the minister is now possibly making policy announcements about what he would do with the money?

Mr Hargreaves: On the point of order, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Hargreaves.

Mr Hargreaves: I actually asked what this would fund in the current budget. Further, Mr Speaker, I would ask for your assistance because I could not hear the Treasurer’s response. Having a soloist singer over there coming at us is one thing, but a full symphony is really difficult to hear.

MR SPEAKER: On the point of order, Minister Barr, I note that the question was about the current budget, not possible future budgets. Minister, perhaps you might restrict your answer to that, given that Mr Hargreaves was very specific in his question.

MR BARR: The question was: what would this amount fund in the budget? The budget, of course, extends over a period of time. One must make—

Members interjecting—

MR SPEAKER: Order! I cannot hear Mr Barr.

MR BARR: Were the Canberra Liberals to win the 2012 election, they would need to deliver a budget that would cover a four-year period in 2013. (Time expired.)

MS PORTER: Supplementary.

MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Porter.


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