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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 7 Hansard (2 July) . . Page.. 2122 ..

MR HIRD (continuing):

Whilst the financing structure for the project might have seemed complex to non-specialists, it employed well-used and understood approaches in the project and infrastructure industry

The Committee's ignorance of accepted business practice or its determination not to understand the financing of Bruce Stadium NOT SURPRISINGLY has led to its exaggerated conclusion of "serious concerns" about the prudent financial management of the Territory's finances.

This Government ... Mr Speaker ... has continually made progressed towards addressing the Territory's previous financial situation ... which we all know was fraught with danger for the future generations of this Territory.

It is the committee's duty to put the technical breach of law into perspective and not to try to create confusion, doubt AND UNCERTAINTY.

I believe the committee has been MISLEADING AND IRRESPONSIBLE in this matter ... Mr Speaker.

Another political stunt perpetrated in this Report ... Mr Speaker ... is the Committee's recommendation to reinstate the Competition Policy Forum -- A FORUM THAT WAS A FAILURE -- because it rarely met and its few reports made little contribution to public policy issues.

It would serve no purpose because the government is establishing the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission to investigate and report on competitive neutrality complaints and, where necessary, the impact of commercial arrangements on the public interest.

That makes the Committee's recommendation irrelevant ... Mr Speaker.

The committee has erred again ... Mr Speaker ... in its recommendation on secondary college funding (Recommendation 24).

There is no reduction in funding to colleges - as is clearly indicated on page 258 of Budget Paper Number 4).... Mr Speaker.

The overall funding to government schools has increased by $6.5 million for 1999-2000, following an increase of $45.2 million in the current year, more than meeting the Government's election commitment.

The Government must be able to shift resources to reflect changing needs and priorities ... Mr Speaker.

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