Page 299 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 1 March 1994
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Mr Moore: What are they? That is a supplementary question.
Mr Humphries: Tell us what they are.
MR BERRY: I think I can tell you that, too.
MADAM SPEAKER: Was there a supplementary question there, Mr Humphries?
Mr Humphries: That was Mr Moore's supplementary question. I want one too.
MR BERRY: My advice is that it has gained sufficient revenue to cover its set-up costs after only the first month of VITAB's operation. I do not think that is bad going.
Mrs Carnell: Why?
MADAM SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs Carnell: Because of the extra dividends that are being offered.
MR BERRY: That is because of the contract that we have with them and the 1.5 per cent payment which is made by VITAB to ACTTAB. The profits are starting to flow to the ACT now. I do not know who is supplying you with your information, but it does not matter.
Mr Kaine: I will tell you what, Minister; it is not you.
MR BERRY: I am providing you with the good oil - that is, that we are making a profit on an arrangement which was reasonable and which was reached with VITAB. Of course, the Opposition never likes to hear good news as far as the Government's operations are concerned.
Mr Humphries: This is good news, is it?
Mrs Carnell: We are happy to hear all the news on this one.
MR BERRY: We hear criticism of Price Waterhouse.
Mr De Domenico: No, not at all.
MR BERRY: No criticism? You are not criticising?
Mr Kaine: We just asked: Why did you not use the local firm?
MR BERRY: Okay; I am glad to hear that the Liberals are not criticising the international company Price Waterhouse.
Mr Humphries: We like Price Waterhouse, Canberra, a lot.
Mr De Domenico: We reckon that the ones in Canberra are really good.
MR BERRY: I am told that their reputation is good wherever they are, and my advice is yes, that it was the Vanuatu branch. I just received a note that it was the Vanuatu branch; but I do not think it matters, because they are recognised all over the world. Why should not one use Price Waterhouse, given their international reputation? We hear much criticism by the Opposition; but, at the
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