Page 2219 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 3 August 2022
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We are quite willing to accommodate the fact, obviously, that Mr Barr will be overseas, but we feel it is important to allow a reasonable amount of time. It is an important issue to address. It is difficult to proceed with estimates while this question of blocking supply remains before the Assembly. With due respect to the estimates committee, due respect to the Chief Minister’s schedule and due respect to every member who may wish to speak on this motion, we feel that a little bit of additional time will be beneficial for all concerned.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong) (10.08): I am happy to make some comments while we are waiting for Ms Lawder’s amendment to be circulated. Firstly, I indicate our support for the scheduling of the additional sitting day. I think that the only dispute at the moment is with the timing. Certainly, the Greens are supportive of the motion to set down the sitting for the 15th, acknowledging that the Chief Minister is undertaking an important trade mission next week. There are some key markets that the ACT has been working on for some time. Obviously, that is important for the territory, so I think that this is the appropriate way to proceed.
I can indicate that the Greens will not be supporting the motion of no confidence. We have confidence in the Chief Minister. The Liberal Party have drawn an extremely long bow here and have demonstrated a failure to understand the procedures of this place. What we have indicated—
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, Ms Lee and Ms Lawder were heard in silence, so give that same regard to Mr Rattenbury.
MR RATTENBURY: We have indicated—and this is publicly understood—that there is a line item in the budget that we disagree with. The procedures of the Assembly clearly enable members to move individual amendments to the budget, provided that they do not increase expenditure. It is possible to remove expenditure. That is what the Greens have openly and transparently indicated that we will do. This puts the Liberal Party in the interesting position of having the balance of power; they can see what it is like. They can work out how they want to vote on this matter. That is the opportunity that will be thrust upon them when we debate this in October.
Let me be very clear: the Greens support this budget. We support the work that the Chief Minister and the cabinet have done on this budget. We believe that this is a good budget for the territory that invests in the services that our city needs whilst at the same time beginning the important process of budget repair. We think that the fiscal strategy is correct. We think that there are a range of excellent issues in this budget. I will not speak to it at too great a length because this is not the moment to do so. To be very clear, we will be voting to continue to support the budget, to continue supply—
Ms Lee: A point of order, Madam Speaker.
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