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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 11 Hansard (6 November) . . Page.. 3732 ..

MR SPEAKER: Ms Reilly, are you listening to this answer?

Ms Reilly: Yes.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you.

Ms McRae: She can walk and listen at the same time.

Ms Reilly: I am able to walk and listen at the same time, Mr Speaker.

MR HUMPHRIES: She is getting some exercise, Mr Speaker, while she is hearing my answer.

Mr Kaine: She is just practising to be Health Minister.

Ms McRae: No; you have to play rugby to do that.

MR SPEAKER: Ms Reilly, you asked the question. The least you can do is listen to the answer.

Ms Reilly: And I cannot sing.

MR HUMPHRIES: I will take your word for that, Ms Reilly. I will not put that to the test.

Mr Berry: On a point of order: One good thing about the standing orders is that you are not required to listen. You can say what you like, apparently, when you answer questions; but you do not have to listen to it.

MR HUMPHRIES: If it would assist Ms Reilly, Mr Speaker, I am quite happy to arrange to put my answer on a tape of some kind. While she is at home exercising, perhaps, she can hear the answer. No? Well, it is up to you.

The Chief Minister has had a couple of queries about the detailed application of the scheme. I cannot see why people such as those who have cash rather than a house would be eligible for our financial scheme; but, to reduce their anxiety, I understand that the Chief Minister would encourage them to use the COTA service to explore their options. The other question, Mr Speaker, is the cost to government. While we intend to charge interest so that the scheme is not a major cost to government, it is not intended to be a profit-making venture either.

MR SPEAKER: Do you have a supplementary question, Ms Reilly?

MS REILLY: That was a quite amazing answer, Mr Speaker. It did not answer my question at all.

MR SPEAKER: You can ask a supplementary question; but you must ask it immediately and without preamble, as you would be aware.

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