Page 2332 - Week 08 - Thursday, 7 June 1990
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members when they were in power. They were terrified to take decisions and, instead, preferred to defer, defer, defer, hoping of course that one day the white knight would come riding over the hill and fix up the economic bungle that they were prepared to leave.
Also, I think it is worth noting that, strangely enough, I believe the Labor Party or their fellow travellers, in the form of many people throughout the community, have been screaming out at public meetings that, rather than taking hard decisions in relation to our schools, our hospitals and other services throughout the community, this Government should raise charges and rates in an effort to be able to provide those services.
I can assure the Opposition that, if these charges do not go up by the level proposed in the Government's Bill, the drastic effect that we shall see on the community will be far worse than anything she or anyone in her party could possibly imagine. Indeed, it would be an act of economic suicide not to approach these charges in the responsible way that the Government is doing.
I think I have shown the economic necessity for the rate that the Government has prudently and judiciously selected, and I have also shown that the Opposition recognises that an increase is warranted. That is not just a view of the Opposition; it is a view of the community as a whole. Without these charges being raised in a prudent fashion, there is no question about the fact that community services throughout the ACT will be seriously endangered. I therefore speak against Ms Follett's amendment.
MR BERRY (5.08): That takes the cake today. You get the belt.
Ms Follett: It is a pack of lies.
Mr Duby: I raise a point of order. Ms Follett has interjected that I have just spoken a pack of lies. I would like it withdrawn.
MR SPEAKER: Please withdraw that, Ms Follett.
Ms Follett: I withdraw, Mr Speaker, but I will be making a personal explanation.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you.
MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, Mr Duby gets the belt after that. That could be called "tall tales and true from the legendary past" - classic Duby style.
Ms Follett: Very close to lies.
MR BERRY: Yes. Mr Speaker, it was a stupid speech and this is a stupid move, although I have to say that it does not matter in political terms to the former No Self
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