Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .
Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 11 Hansard (25 September) . . Page.. 3368 ..
MRS CARNELL (continuing):
managing director of Unisys made clear, is almost limitless, because the
amount of data that has to be changed as part of the year 2000 problem is just
enormous. In fact, some of the computer companies are suggesting that they may
have to move a lot of the data correction off shore, simply because there will
not be the people power in Australia to do it. One of the major computer
companies that we have been speaking to recently believe that they may have to
look at an offshore work force.
Mr Whitecross: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The year 2000 problem is a fascinating problem and I am sure we could listen all day to Mrs Carnell explaining the year 2000 problem, but my actual question was: How did the Government calculate that the initiative would create 1,000 jobs, and can the Minister advise how many people Unisys expect to employ across Australia from this scheme? She has not answered those questions.
MRS CARNELL: That is exactly what I was talking about - the number of people who would - - -
Mr Kaine: I think the Chief Minister heard the question, Mr Speaker.
MRS CARNELL: I was explaining exactly what was happening as a result of Unisys People. We made it very clear, in that particular media conference and in all of the interviews that were done after that, that Unisys People will predominantly be a training entity. A subcontractor will be in the business of getting the business.
Mr Berry: More smoke and mirrors.
MRS CARNELL: Not at all. It is very interesting that Mr Berry says, "Smoke and mirrors". I do not believe that companies like Unisys Australia would like to hear that sort of comment.
Mr Berry: Snake oil from you.
MRS CARNELL: No, that is what you sell. I sell cough mixture; you sell snake oil. The reality, Mr Speaker, is that Unisys themselves indicated that the number of jobs that would be created as a result of the Unisys People initiative with the ACT Government would be significantly higher than 1,000 - 1,000 was a conservative estimate. Those jobs will be predominantly as subcontractors. They will be subcontracting work to local small business, local subcontractors. Unisys determined how many jobs they believed would be created by the whole thing.
Mr Whitecross: You said that the Government estimated it.
MRS CARNELL: No, I said that Unisys did. Unisys said that Unisys estimated that that would be the case. In fact, they suggested that it would be even more than that. We believe strongly, and I think that every reasonable commentator on this - - -
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .