Page 2018 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 8 September 1992
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There is clearly, Mr Deputy Speaker, an absolute lack of any kind of program at all. There is simply year to year consideration of the budget. What bubbles to the surface this week is what goes in the budget. There is a lack of policy guidance. If there is any policy guidance, where is it? What are the policy objectives of this party? There is simply nothing but ad hoc decision making from day to day. One gets the real impression that the noisiest lobby group is the one that gets the ear, and that is what goes in the budget. Again, we will wait and see what happens about an abortion clinic.
Mr Deputy Speaker, if this Government does have any plan, if it does have any strategy, if it does have any agenda, where are its real job creation projects and programs? Where are the measures to encourage and provide incentives to the private sector, which is on its knees at the moment, particularly our small business? What is this Government doing for them? The answer is, "Nothing". If you do not believe me, go and ask the small business people out there. You ask any small businessman in this town, "What has this Government done to help you over the economic hump you are on? What has it done to help you expand and grow and employ somebody, and at least make a profit?". The answer is, "Nothing". Not one single businessman in this town will tell you that this Government has done anything. Go and ask the unemployed. There are still about 8,000 of them out there. Go and take any one you like off the unemployment queue. Go down to the CES and ask them, "What has this Government done to create a job for you?". There are 8,000 people out there, every one of whom will tell you, "Nothing".
If this is not true, let us have the story. What are they doing? Where are the initiatives? In connection with what policy guidelines is the administration taking action? Specifically, name the programs that have led to one job or that have led to one small business surviving the economic hardships that they are suffering. There are none, Mr Deputy Speaker. I have yet to hear the Chief Minister or any other Minister tell me where they are.
We begin to perceive some sort of an agenda only when we get into the social issues. This is not an agenda that was publicised before the election either. It is not an agenda that meets with the approval of the majority of members of this community. If you do not believe me, go and ask them about marijuana. Sixty per cent of people do not want the laws in connection with marijuana changed, but this Government is going to support that next week or even tomorrow. Tomorrow morning Mr Moore's marijuana Bill will take precedence over my Bill to fix the anomalies in the land tax Act. So we are going to have to debate that.
Mr Berry: I take a point of order. Mr Kaine is pre-empting debate on an issue. I think that is entirely out of order.
MR KAINE: No, I am not. This is a matter of public importance.
Mr Lamont: Mr Deputy Speaker, I take another point of order. The presumption in the comment by the Leader of the Opposition is that somehow the Administration and Procedures Committee, of which I am a member, is going to do something which is untoward and inappropriate. I think that is a reflection on all members of that committee, and I ask that he withdraw it.
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