Page 4189 - Week 13 - Thursday, 25 November 1993
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MR WOOD (Minister for Education and Training, Minister for the Arts and Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning) (4.36): The outcomes of this will be worked through over a period of time; that is clear. But this debate today might be a watershed in our history - a watershed for so long as there is minority government in the Territory. Let us pray that after the 1995 election we get a majority government because, if this sort of irresponsibility continues, the ACT will go down the path of Victoria. The Opposition Leader spoke in her budget speech of anxiety about the ACT debt, but that is what she wants to run us into.
Mrs Carnell: No. We just do not want you to sack teachers.
MR WOOD: I will be more precise, because the Liberal agenda has become quite clear, and these two Independents are going to support it. It is remarkable. Your agenda is clear. The Opposition Leader said in her speech that it was a gutless budget. I think it was a copy of her earlier statement. "Another gutless budget", she said. I know where the gutlessness is; it is on that side of the house. You cannot face up to the responsibility of self-government. You get a few phone calls, you get a little bit of heavying, and you want to cave in, you want to deliver.
There has been a mixed view coming from the Liberals. Earlier on the Liberals were saying, and in a sense they still say it, "Cut the budget; reduce the education budget; we overspend on education". If you want them, I have the precise quotes there. Trevor Kaine said, "Significantly overexpended", "Scope for significant cost reductions".
Mr Kaine: It is the Grants Commission that says that, old chap. I am simply quoting the Grants Commission.
MR WOOD: That was your quote.
Mr Cornwell: We are saying, "Do not cut 80 teachers".
MR WOOD: Yes, that is your policy. Yes, you are consistent. Never mind the bricks and mortar; that has been a consistent argument on that side. You now concede that you want to open some schools - - -
Mr Cornwell: Yes, in new areas. We have never argued that.
MR WOOD: So it comes back to the old argument of closing schools. That is your argument. That is what you want to support.
Mr Cornwell: Dear me!
MR WOOD: Yes, it is. Clearly it is. That is what you want to support. You are totally irresponsible. Let me go further. In his speech, and in an earlier speech by Mrs Carnell, we get a few very clear indications of what they want to do. Mr Cornwell said, "There is $1.47m contributed to the budget by parents". Did you say "contributed to the budget"?
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