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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 2 Hansard (27 February) . . Page.. 325 ..

MRS CARNELL: We could have left the page out if we did not want anyone to know. We did not, because we are working towards an integrated IT system that actually works at Woden Valley Hospital.

Mr Berry: When?

MRS CARNELL: A damn sight quicker than the five years it took you not to achieve it, I can promise. Right at the moment I have to admit, Mr Speaker, that it is very hard to do anything in the information technology system in this city. We have bans, Mr Speaker, on information technology. We have a situation where e-mail is not working. Mr Speaker, you will be happy to know that today both the taxation system and the Fiscal system have fallen over. I suggest that everybody here count their pennies, because we all know how we are paid.

Commonwealth Funding

MR KAINE: Mr Speaker, I direct a question to the Chief Minister and Treasurer. Chief Minister, yesterday the Commonwealth Grants Commission brought down its 1996 report on general revenue grant relativities. I note with some alarm that if the Commonwealth accepts the recommendations this year, and they have in previous years, the amount to come to the ACT from the Commonwealth general purpose funding is only $285m. I note that that compares to an amount of $476m which we received in the first year of self-government. There has been a substantial and progressive reduction in the amount of money coming to the ACT. I submit that no other community in Australia has suffered such a massive reduction in Commonwealth funding in the history of the Commonwealth. Chief Minister, I am sure that you are aware of these figures. Can you tell the Assembly what you believe are the implications for the ACT of the Commonwealth's acceptance of these recommendations in terms of not only this year's budget but future budgets as well?

MRS CARNELL: The Commonwealth Grants Commission report was released this afternoon to the - - -

Mr Berry: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I think this is a hypothetical question and is highly disorderly.

Mr De Domenico: No, it is not. It was released this afternoon.

Ms McRae: The Commonwealth has not responded. That was the question.

MR SPEAKER: Order! I will allow the question. Continue, Chief Minister.

MRS CARNELL: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

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