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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 11 Hansard (24 September) . . Page.. 3281 ..

MR MOORE (continuing):

There are still questions to be answered. As far as I am concerned, these questions have not yet been answered satisfactorily by the Chief Minister. They are questions that must be answered by Mr De Domenico. This morning, when I discussed this issue with the Chief Minister, I pointed out, as I did when I discussed it with various representatives of Canberra business, that I will make up my mind on the floor of the house; that I had not yet drawn a conclusion. That is still the case. Both sides are presenting conflicting evidence and conflicting arguments. I have not yet drawn a conclusion. I am waiting to hear the rest of the evidence before I do so.

MR STEFANIAK (Minister for Education and Training) (11.20): I have listened with interest to this debate and especially to Mr Moore's arguments. I think the bottom line is that one has to look at what the Canberra economy is like now, what the job situation is like now and what the situation for our young people is like now.

Mr Berry: You created it.

MR STEFANIAK: I do not think that is quite the case, Wayne. We had a Federal Labor government for 13 years. We had you lot in for about four years. That is certainly the pot calling the kettle black. Whilst obviously that situation is not going to continue, let us look at the here-and-now.

Mr Berry: How can you stand up there blush free? You created it. There are 4,000 fewer jobs and 3,400 more unemployed. Shame on you!

MR STEFANIAK: Mr Berry goes on about jobs. Mr Berry is always going on about jobs. He tries to lay the blame at this Government's feet. Quite clearly, Mr Berry, you need to look at yourself. Let us just concentrate on jobs.

Mr Berry: There are 3,400 extra people on the unemployment list.

MR STEFANIAK: Mr Berry says that there are 3,000 on the unemployment list.

Mr Berry: There are 4,000 fewer jobs.

MR STEFANIAK: He says that there are 4,000 fewer jobs. Mr Berry, here is your chance to do something about it. Here is your chance to create a few more jobs. Here is your chance to help people in the industry. Here is your chance to help young people especially. This will give an opportunity to 150 young people. It is all very well, Mr Berry, to say, "You got rid of 3,000 and 4,000 jobs". Here is a chance, Mr Berry, for 150 new jobs. Here is a chance to give some young people some training. Here is a chance for some young people to learn some skills, to get some on-site training. We are talking very much about Canberra's future and the future of Canberra's young persons. If we can do something practical, as this Bill seems to do, it should be given a chance.

My colleagues have indicated that the Bill has a sunset clause. Later today you will hear about some other schemes this Government has to assist people with jobs. This is an important scheme that will help a number of young people into the labour market. I am absolutely amazed by Mr Berry. I am not really amazed by his blinkered approach,

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