Page 3473 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 25 November 1992
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MADAM SPEAKER: I remind members that we are discussing division 20, and an amendment to division 20, which covers ACT Corporate Management.
MR MOORE (4.47): It will be my pleasure to change the tone of the debate, Madam Speaker, and speak about the amendment moved by Mr Kaine and division 20. In this instance I am not oscillating at all; I am quite happy to support the Government in this matter and therefore vote against the amendment. I have made it very clear - - -
Mr Humphries: His true colours are coming out at last.
MR MOORE: I hear an interjection that it is coming out at last. Actually, it has been coming out for quite some time that I would not support any amendments to the budget Bills. That has been made quite clear.
It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition proposed a reduction of $10. I listened very carefully to his argument as to why he chose $10. I heard him mention the quid. I wondered why he had not chosen half a quid because it seems to me that there is evidence of the half quid around him. Therefore, that may have been more appropriate. However, it seems to me, Madam Speaker, that it is an appropriate - - -
Mr Kaine: Are you saying that I am half a quid short or something?
MR MOORE: I hear an interjection about whether I am saying that the Leader of the Opposition is a half quid short. I did not actually say that; but, if he insists on using that term, who am I to fight it? Madam Speaker, having weighed up the evidence very carefully and realising the difference between the $14,705,100 and the $14,705,090, I will support the Government and will oppose any further amendments that are moved by anybody as far as this budget goes.
MR HUMPHRIES (4.49): The question before us is Mr Kaine's amendment to division 20. This amendment is predicated on a concern by members on this side of the house that this Government has not exhibited the kind of vision and fortitude which is essential for any government in a position of one such as this to deal with the ACT's fundamental problems. Madam Speaker, we acknowledge that the Government is going to get its budget passed today; that the Government is going to keep governing in the ACT. No-one is about to hold out hopes of another change of government, much as it might suit many people in the ACT for that to happen.
Acknowledging that certainty of the budget getting through, I think that we, on this side of the chamber at least, should be permitted some despair at the Government's absence of inspirational leadership on the question of the ACT's problems. We have a government which is not a majority government; it is admittedly a minority government. But it does have at the present time the vestiges of goodwill generated by the last election. It does have a mandate of sorts, tatty as it may be in some respects, and it has the capacity to put in place strong measures.
We have seen in Victoria the sort of thing that happens when a government gets into power and needs to make sure that it deals decisively with the problems that it faces. I think the people of Victoria will forgive and indeed expect that the Government there will face promptly and decisively the problems that it
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