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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 5 (Hansard) 16 May) . . Page.. 1361 ..

Mr Kaine: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: Is this a supplementary question or a statement?

MR SPEAKER: I take it as a supplementary question, which I am sure the Chief Minister can answer, Mr Kaine.

MRS CARNELL: I am surprised that Ms Follett somehow believes that the centre over there is operating with no staff at all. Certainly, at this stage it is not a big office; there is no doubt about that. Ms Follett asked me quite specifically what the business benefits were to the ACT, or what the benefits were to the ACT. That is exactly what she asked. The benefits to the ACT - - -

Ms Follett: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Chief Minister must have completely misheard my first question. The question said: How much are we paying and how many jobs have been created? That was the beginning and end of it. I take it that that is why she did not answer either of those questions.

Mr Hird: Is that a point of order, Mr Speaker?

MR SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Continue, Chief Minister.

MRS CARNELL: Thank you very much. Mr Speaker, I think you will find that Ms Follett did indicate that she was interested in the benefits; possibly, she is not interested in the benefits to the ACT, and I am very surprised if that is the case. Obviously, the benefit for the ACT is to encourage share market deals to be conducted here in Canberra. As Ms Follett would be aware, that is a major revenue source for this Government. Ms Follett, as a former Treasurer, I hope, has not forgotten the amount of money that is generated via share transactions here in Canberra. Obviously, having an ASX board here does encourage share transactions, does encourage local people to buy shares as a method of investment. It is interesting that 42,000 Canberrans are shareholders - I think the second largest number of shareholders in Australia. I think that indicates that the people of Canberra are very interested in this form of investment and therefore are very keen. I have made it very clear - - -

Ms Follett: Mr Speaker, on a point of order: I will say again that my question went to how much it is costing the ACT and how many jobs have been created.

MR SPEAKER: What is the point of order?

Ms Follett: The point of relevance, Mr Speaker. I am sure that, with your knowledge of the standing orders, you can find the number.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I have already said that I will find out for the Assembly the exact percentage of the centre's fit-out costs the ACT Government paid.

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