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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 5 Hansard (15 May) . . Page.. 1491 ..

MRS CARNELL: It is a pity that those opposite cannot change their questions during question time after you already answer one. I am very pleased that Mr Corbell listens to me, but obviously he does not listen very hard. I made it clear on radio last week that $5m was a ridiculous figure; that the offer that had been made was payroll tax concessions, some land and a very small amount of money. I made the point on radio that we were talking about something in the area of $100,000, not $5m. I can also guarantee that the offer to Bega cheese has not been increased over the last week. I am fascinated that it tends to be being rolled up by some people, but the offer has not been increased. I stand by the view that we will not be involved in a bidding war with New South Wales.

Mr Whitecross: But you are.

Mr Corbell: Are you not already?

MRS CARNELL: No, we are not involved in a bidding war with New South Wales. We have put a good offer on the table. I made it very clear that Bega have agreed that it is a good offer. Obviously, they are going to talk to New South Wales to see what they will be offered from New South Wales. As I said in the answer to Mr Whitecross's questions, if New South Wales really want to outbid the ACT they can do so. They are lots bigger than us. We put an offer on the table. We will be sticking to that.

I am still fascinated that those opposite will attempt to undermine 100 jobs for Canberra - 100 jobs in an area that desperately needs them. The other day we heard Mr Corbell say in this place about Bega cheese that this was not the sort of business - - -

Mr Corbell: Why do you not stop competing with the region and build on industries we already have?

Mr Humphries: We cannot hear what the Chief Minister is saying.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, last week, or maybe it was earlier this week, we heard Mr Corbell say that this was not the sort of business that we should be out negotiating on.

Mr Corbell: Is it not about building business that is already in Canberra?

MR SPEAKER: Order! The backbench may have overlooked or not heard what I said. I will name - - -

Mr Wood: From which side?

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

Mr Wood: From which side? Both sides?

MR SPEAKER: Yes, I am reminding everybody.

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