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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 5 Hansard (26 August) . . Page.. 1392 ..

MS CARNELL (continuing):

I would like to finish by making a point about ANU funding. The ANU has reduced funding to the institute. It is an ANU entity. I do not believe it is appropriate for the ACT Government to shore up the institute to counter its managing entity's budget cuts, otherwise we will be shoring up forever. Our role is to fund services to the community; to provide for a better ACT and to do so in a transparent and appropriate manner. That is what we are doing, but those opposite do not seem to care. Those opposite have indicated time and time again that they believe we should just restore the funding. Not how; not why; no transparency; no negotiations; just restore the funding. I would like to know from those opposite where they plan to get the extra dollars from in this budget. Where do they plan to get the extra $800,000? What would they like to cut as a result of the restoration of the $1.6m? There is $825,000 in this budget. There is no indication from them on that, no indication at all.

It is very easy to come up with a list of issues on the notice paper, saying, "Let's get rid of an entrance fee to Floriade; let's restore funding to the Institute of the Arts; let's make sure that nobody suffers as a result; let's make sure that, with regard to the SACS award, terms, conditions, salaries and everything are retained". Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, that is not a responsible approach, but we are used to seeing that from those opposite. They are after the quick, easy headlines, not the hard yards of running a sensible and rational government. Earlier this year we were re-elected during what was a pretty difficult time for a Liberal Party to be re-elected in the ACT. I think the reason we were re-elected is being shown here during this debate.

Mr Berry: You were not re-elected. You were appointed by the Osborne group.

MS CARNELL: We got a whole heap more votes than you did, Wayne. The reason we were re-elected is being shown in this debate. The approach of those opposite is: "Just spend more money. We do not care where you get it from. Let's just spend more. Let's borrow it. Let's leave a debt for our kids". That is not the approach that this side of the house will take, but our commitment to the arts is a damned sight better than the commitment of those opposite ever was.

Debate interrupted.

MR TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Hird): Order! It being 5.00 pm, I propose the question:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

Mr Humphries: I require the question to be put forthwith without debate.

Question resolved in the negative.

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