Page 4355 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 30 November 1994
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
MR WOOD: I pay Mr Cornwell due respect from time to time because he has some knowledge; but, on this question, he just does not have it. He seems to be saying to me that we put students in for a year and then pull them out. That is not the case. The funds that the Treasurer has provided are enhancement moneys, which means that they carry on year after year. They are built into the system. I really resent this. The first time the Opposition know what is going on here is when they get a letter. I think what you have done today is disgraceful, and it is shameful, because what you have shown is that here is an issue that you know nothing about.
Mr Kaine: Madam Speaker, I draw your attention to standing order 118, which calls upon you, if you are convinced that the Minister has had ample opportunity to answer the question, to ask him to desist. He has had plenty of time to answer the question, and he still has not answered it.
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Kaine, for bringing that to my attention. Mr Wood, have you finished?
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, I will offer to Mr Cornwell - I do not think Mrs Carnell would be in the least bit interested - a full briefing from my department, to go into the long and proud record of what we have done in this respect. Then I will not get such damned stupid questions.
Mr Cornwell: Madam Speaker, I accept the Minister's offer.
Tourism Statistics
MS ELLIS: Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Chief Minister. In recent times, the Canberra tourism industry has benefited from a number of major events. Can the Chief Minister advise whether the effect of these events and of the promotion of the Territory as a tourism destination is reflected in the available tourism statistics?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, I thank Ms Ellis for the question. It is the case that the tourism industry is showing some very healthy statistics indeed. The industry is experiencing very healthy growth. The most specific performance indicator is the total visitor numbers to the ACT. The most recent figures we have for those total visitor numbers are for the year ending March 1994; but those figures show that there has been an increase of almost 10 per cent from the same period last year. In fact, the total number of visitors was - - -
Mrs Carnell: Last time you said that counting total visitor numbers was not the appropriate way to go. You said that it was bed numbers.
MADAM SPEAKER: Order! Since we are talking about standing orders today, let me say that my favourite one is standing order 38. Perhaps members would like to read that one.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .