Page 2958 - Week 13 - Thursday, 23 November 1989
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excellent Ministers worked hard. They established the four broad departments of government under four Ministers, and in that time the administration of the ACT has proceeded extremely well. Not always, can I say, have the affairs of this parliament, as distinct from the Government, gone on as well. Let me point out the difficult circumstances in which this excellent job has been done. We have framed the budget - Chief Minister Rosemary Follett's budget - which was passed today - - -
Mr Duby: Without a whimper.
MR WOOD: Thank you, without a whimper. The budget was framed; it was taken from a low starting point six months ago and, bearing in mind some excellent departmental pre-work on it, it has proceeded since in unique circumstances where the Government could never be assured of a majority. It has proceeded with extensive consultation - a whole new concept of how to bring a budget through - and it has been achieved magnificently with a rounding vote of confidence this morning and then this afternoon.
Incidentally, as soon as that was done, we got this motion of no confidence. It is also a motion of no confidence in themselves because it is a free concession that they would not have been able to make a budget and to get a budget through.
So, today there has been a motion of confidence in the Government. I am sure that in the next fortnight, if you will not express it yourself, if you are incapable of finding an argument, you will find there will be strong arguments in the community out there to sustain this Government. I rather expect that your ranks will shatter even before we come back on 5 December, because the strength that this Government has shown is recognised in the community and it is freely acknowledged that the same acknowledgment cannot be given to the other side of this chamber. We have not seen that evidence. I believe that the strength of the Government has already won the confidence of the community - - -
Mr Berry: Let us go back to the fluoride vote.
MR WOOD: Yes, that was an example. This Government has won the confidence of the community. This confidence will bring great pressure on you in the next 10 days to come up with something a little bit better than you have been able to show today and in the last six months. This Government has got the record, and I am afraid you have not. I rather suspect that in 10 or 14 days' time the Government will be able to continue.
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