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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 9 Hansard (1 September) . . Page.. 2711 ..

Mr Stanhope: But I did not resile from the fact that the law was broken.

MR SPEAKER: Just a moment; we are getting back to question time, not an exchange across the chamber.

Mr Hird: I am trying to hear the answer, sir.

Mr Quinlan: It won't mean anything to you, Harold. You've heard it before.

Mr Kaine: Will you call Mr Hird to order, Mr Speaker?

MR SPEAKER: Order! Both sides will stop interjecting.

MS CARNELL: I am not saying a word.

MR SPEAKER: No, but others are on the government side.

Mr Hird: Mr Kaine interjected.

MR SPEAKER: Be quiet, Mr Hird.

MS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, overall, a net balance of 65 per cent of ACT business operators are positive about their own business prospects over the next 12 months. This level of optimism was second only to South Australia, which was the highest in the country. That is another Liberal government, Mr Speaker. Looking ahead to the next three months, across all indicators, that is, sales value, employment, prices, profitability and capital expenditure, ACT small businesses were well into positive territory in terms of their expectations. Mr Speaker, I certainly do not expect those opposite to be particularly interested in this question. They have shown that the whole way through the answer. After all, let us be fair. Apart possibly from Mr Quinlan, none of them know one thing about business or how you run a small business. For those who are interested, the 13,000 small businesses out there in Canberra, this Yellow Pages index is yet another independent - - -

Mr Quinlan: No, he was a paper boy.

MS CARNELL: Mr Speaker!

MR SPEAKER: Order, please!

Mr Hird: Turf him out.

MR SPEAKER: Be quite, Mr Hird. You are not helping matters.

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