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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 6 Hansard (1 September) . . Page.. 1595 ..

MS CARNELL (continuing):

However, I would like to take this opportunity to point out the implications of some of the committee's suggestions. The committee was opposed to the insurance levy. I am sure that some people will make that point in a little while. If we were to accept this, Mr Speaker, there would be a $10m reduction in revenue, and a $10m increase in operating loss in 1998-99; there would be a further $10m operating loss in 1999-2000; there would be a further $10m operating loss in the year 2000-01; and another $10m operating loss in 2001-02. There would be, in total, a $40m increase in the operating loss across the four years of this Government.

The committee was opposed to the entry fees for Floriade. If we were to accept this, there would be a $1.2m reduction in revenue, and a $1.2m increase in operating loss in 1998-99; a further $1.2m loss in 1999-2000; a further $1.2m operating loss in 2000-01; and another $1.2m operating loss in 2001-02 - a $4.8m increase in operating loss over the four years of this Government.

Mr Speaker, the committee has asked us to restore the Institute of the Arts funding. If we were to accept this, there would be a $0.8m increase in expenditure, and a $0.8m increase in operating loss in 1998-99; and a further $1.2m operating loss in 1999-2000 - a possible total of $5.2m over four years.

Mr Speaker, the committee has asked us to bring forward the Gungahlin library project, even before the feasibility study is complete. This comes from those opposite who speak ad infinitum about process. Here they want us to bring forward a project where the feasibility study is not complete. It seems process is to be followed only when it suits them, Mr Speaker. This will produce an additional capital cost of $2.5m. Obviously there is the issue of recurrent costs as well, Mr Speaker. The list goes on. If the Government were to accept all of the committee's suggestions, the approximate impact on the operating result would be a further $83m loss over the four-year period. I think I need to restate that - a further $83m operating loss over a four-year period.

Mr Speaker, the Government had expected some positive contribution from the committee to improve the Territory's financial position. We had expected some positive suggestions to reduce the operating loss. It is disappointing that the committee has chosen not to endorse the revenue initiatives and the proposed expenditure reductions. It is disappointing that the committee has advocated further expenditure, without any offsetting savings. To sum up, it is disappointing, Mr Speaker, that the committee has chosen to support an easy - - -

Mr Berry: The Estimates Committee is not running the show; the Cabinet is.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Berry: We are happy to take it over, though.

MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Berry! You will have a chance to respond in due course.

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