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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 5 Hansard (15 May) . . Page.. 1485 ..

MR WHITECROSS: I have a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. Chief Minister, is it the case that, not content with driving the ACT economy into recession, you are now intent on taking down all of the other regional economies as well?

MRS CARNELL: Pathetic; absolutely pathetic! What would you expect, though, from somebody who earlier this week was out there campaigning to stop development of the Chisholm site going ahead? You could not possibly have another fast food outlet at Chisholm because it would affect the traders. Then who bought it, Mr Speaker? The traders.

Mr Whitecross: No, they did not. You have just misled parliament.

MR SPEAKER: The house will come to order. The Chief Minister is answering the supplementary question.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I think Mr Whitecross just gained the Mr Business title from Mr Berry. Quite honestly, Mr Speaker, what a stupid, stupid comment.

With regard to the Bega Cooperative, they approached us. They are interested in setting up a state-of-the-art plant. They believe that this could be an important site for them on the basis that, hopefully, Canberra will be an international freight hub in this area - something that this side of the chamber is pushing hard for. That side of the chamber obviously is not interested in that at all, Mr Speaker. The Bega Cooperative believe that having access to airports and to tourists - plus an opportunity to deal with a government that is very keen to have their business here - is a good idea. If it does end up in a bidding war with New South Wales, I have no doubt that New South Wales will win. They are significantly bigger than us, Mr Speaker; but we have put a very good deal on the table.

MR HIRD: My question is to the Chief Minister and it relates to regional cooperation. We know the effort that the Chief Minister has put into - - -

Mr Whitecross: Into stealing things from the region.

MR HIRD: Be quiet, or I will skitch Ms Horodny onto you. She does not like battery hens, so you want to be quiet. I know the effort that the Chief Minister has put into regional development and the way regional development has come forward. Chief Minister, can you inform the parliament whether or not there has been any fallout from claims made by the Opposition yesterday - this came from Ms McRae - that poor people live in Queanbeyan and the rich in Canberra? What is the implication for the region, in particular the 17 mayors and shire presidents, let alone the State members?

MR SPEAKER: I will warn the next person who interjects.

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