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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 13 Hansard (2 December) . . Page.. 4283 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

Again, Mr Speaker, those opposite are simply wrong. Yes, it has been a tough 12 months or tough two years; but the figures all show that the economy is turning around, and in many areas it has turned around. It is just that those opposite cannot accept it.

Ms McRae: Yes, they see us coming. That is why.

MRS CARNELL: Thank you very much. I am very pleased that Ms McRae just admitted that it was true that the economy had turned around.

Ms McRae: I think you should quote me in full if you are going to quote my interjections.

MR SPEAKER: All could profit by that, Ms McRae.

Mrs Carnell: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.

MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister): Mr Speaker, for the information of members, I present the record of proceedings of the National Capital Futures Conference which was held in September 1997. I seek leave to make a statement.

Leave granted.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, on 29 and 30 September 1997, the National Capital Futures Conference was held at Old Parliament House to consider the vision and strategic directions for Canberra's growth and development. I am pleased today to be able to table the report of proceedings from the conference.

Mr Speaker, I think it is worth while to take a few moments to reflect on the extraordinary lengths to which the organisers went to ensure that the conference was well publicised and that a broad cross-section of the community was able to attend and to contribute to the discussion and the debate. Over 5,000 registration brochures were circulated. Advertisements were placed in local newspapers. Letters were sent to over 60 business and professional institutions and associations. ACT and Commonwealth government departments were notified. Embassies and high commissions were notified. The ACT Legislative Assembly members and all local Federal parliamentarians were invited.

Pre-conference workshops were held with representatives from social, arts, heritage, sport, multicultural, indigenous and youth groups, small and large business organisations and students from local universities and colleges. At least two representatives from each of these workshops were invited to the conference free of charge. Almost 100 invitations were sent to community organisations and volunteer workers, including the Trades and Labour Council, to attend the conference free of charge. A competition through local newspapers was conducted, where local citizens could win a place at the conference

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