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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 11 Hansard (4 November) . . Page.. 3530 ..
MRS CARNELL (continuing):
Mr Speaker, in recent months we have seen figures indicating that the ACT economy is pulling out of recession, including two consecutive quarters of growth in gross State product. So, we are not in recession but back in growth. The economic rebound has been quicker and stronger than even we forecast. That quicker and stronger rebound even exceeds the ACT Government's own forecast. We are doing better than any of us anticipated. Last week we saw Access Economics revise their predictions for employment growth in the ACT. Where Access Economics were predicting a fall in employment this financial year, they are now predicting a 3 per cent growth in total employment - one of the strongest growth rates in Australia. It is very interesting to note that, where they were predicting unemployment would rise to more than 9 per cent, they have now revised that figure downwards to just over 7 per cent, falling to just over 6 per cent in coming years.
Mr Speaker, I am sure you remember that those figures were used by Mr Whitecross in this place to have a go at the Government. So, I would assume that Mr Whitecross will be on his feet today saying, "Is it not great that Access Economics, an entity that I quote all the time, has now changed its mind and believes that the ACT has turned the corner; that unemployment is coming down and employment is going up?". That is great news for Canberra, and I am confident that Mr Whitecross, taking into account his comments in the past, would agree with those comments.
Mr Speaker, the ACT economy is clearly in recovery, but that does not mean that there are not people in this city who are still doing it tough. Of course there are. That is why this Government will continue to focus on job creation and business growth, because it is only by attracting new businesses, new investment and new jobs, and allowing our current businesses to expand, that we will ensure a prosperous future for our children. People on this side of the house will not be constantly negative and carping. We do have ideas; we are putting them in place. It would be fascinating to know what those opposite would do.
MS McRAE: My question is to Mr Stefaniak in his capacity as Minister for Education. Minister, can you confirm that no ACT politician can visit an ACT school unless the principal has informed you? Is it true that these restrictions also apply out of school time? Minister, can you explain why this procedure is in place? Are you afraid that the principals and teachers are not professional enough to deal with all politicians appropriately?
Mrs Carnell: Ms McRae, Mr Berry would not let me go near a hospital.
MS McRAE: I can understand that with you; there were sick people there.
MR STEFANIAK: Ms McRae, I think you will find the procedures in terms of politicians visiting schools since I have been Minister have been a lot more flexible than when you lot sat on these benches.
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