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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 13 Hansard (9 December) . . Page.. 4092 ..

MR HIRD: I have heard a lot of questions over there, but nothing really as significant as the question I intend to ask. You fellows want to listen to it, you lads. You boys want to listen to it. And that goes for my old mate over there, the old silver fox.

Mr Rugendyke: Shush, I'd like to hear this. This will be important.

MR HIRD: Thank you, Mr Rugendyke. Mr Speaker, my question is directed to the Chief Minister. It is a straightforward question, boys. How many people have we employed in the last 12 months - has the Government employed - or have been employed in the Territory for the last 12 months? How many jobs have been created since we came to office in 1995 to straighten out the problems of this great Territory?

MS CARNELL: One of the fundamental promises made by this Government when we came to office in 1995 was to try to create the right environment for businesses, both large and small, to grow and to create jobs in this city. I am sure everyone on this side of the house will remember that the basic catchcry for us in that election was "jobs". That is what we set out to achieve. Mr Kaine should remember too, because he was part of the team. Mr Speaker, along the way with the advent of increased outsourcing by the Federal Government, we saw it as essential to try to keep as many - - -

Mr Stanhope: That was the Liberal Government, was it?

MS CARNELL: That is right, a Liberal government. We think they did the wrong thing. We are quite happy to say that, because we are here to represent the people of Canberra and are willing to say when the Federal Liberal Party does the wrong thing or the right thing for our people - unlike you guys. Mr Speaker, we believed that it was absolutely essential to keep as many of the outsourced jobs here in Canberra - - -

Mr Berry: What about the 500 more unemployed in the last 12 months?

MR SPEAKER: Be quiet.

MS CARNELL: It has been very difficult along the way. Firstly, as you know, the Commonwealth cut something in the order - - -

Mr Berry: Five hundred more unemployed in four months.

MR SPEAKER: The record is stuck, Mr Berry.

MS CARNELL: Of 7,500 jobs from its workforce, while the financial problems we inherited from the - - -

Mr Berry: With some people, it takes a little while to get it to sink in.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Berry, if you want to have a chance to ask a question today, the last question this year, indeed of this millennium, I suggest you stop interjecting.

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