Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .
Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 8 Hansard (28 August) . . Page.. 2627 ..
MR SPEAKER: Do you have a supplementary question, Mr Hird?
MR HIRD: Yes, Mr Speaker. Is this another good news story from the Government in respect of small business and the development of jobs not only in the Territory but throughout the region?
MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, it is a very good sign for the ACT. I think the thing that is most important about these figures is the business confidence. They certainly show that more businesses are profitable now than was the case in the past; but they also show that businesses in the ACT, small businesses, have confidence in the future of the ACT. That must mean, using the logic of those opposite, that they also have confidence in this Government.
MS TUCKER: My question is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, as you know, the level of taxation in Australia is amongst the lowest of OECD nations. You may also be aware that Australia underspends on education by $2 billion annually compared with the average of OECD nations. Invaluable research centres at the ANU are being cut. University education is now a privilege fewer and fewer can afford. There is no dole for unemployed people under 17 years of age and no extra funding is planned for schools to cope with their retention. According to a Chronicle report - we have heard debate about this in question time already - this week parents at an inner north primary school are being asked to use fundraising proceeds to get basic heating and wiring. Kids are not being allowed to take home their craft work if their parents have not paid the voluntary contributions. This is just the education sector. Mrs Carnell, do you support the Prime Minister's view that there should be no increase in overall tax and that there should be reductions in personal income tax, and how do you justify that view?
MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, in this place I am responsible, and so are people on this side of the house, for the ACT's economy and the ACT's budget. I am actually very proud that we have managed to maintain education funding in real terms - - -
Ms Tucker: Do you support the Prime Minister's view?
MRS CARNELL: I am sorry; that is what I am responsible for. That is actually the only question you can ask me. Mr Speaker, I am very proud that we have managed to maintain education funding in real terms during some very difficult times. I am also very proud that our retention rates in ACT schools - Ms Tucker did mention retention rates - are the highest in Australia by a very long way. I am also very pleased that our students have a better record of entry into universities than any other State or Territory in Australia. All in all, I believe that education - something that Ms Tucker raised - is being handled very well in comparison to other places.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .