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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 4 Hansard (29 March) . . Page.. 1032 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

in her answer to Ms Tucker's question yesterday that no approach was made by Impulse to the New South Wales Government and no offer was made by that government to Impulse?

MS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, it is my understanding that Impulse has been and is speaking to both the Victorian and the New South Wales governments.

Impulse Airlines

MR QUINLAN: My question is to the Chief Minister. At the risk of having our responsible approach to this expenditure of public moneys being seen as a negative attitude towards it, can we say that we have seen projections that give rise to optimism as to the future of the project and we have also been advised that the project requires some $8m in initial subsidy, taking the form of a loan that would be forgiven as milestones are achieved. Aside from the loan for capital works in the impending deal, what alternative options for financial support have been investigated? I am not here thinking about a joint venture or the like. I am thinking more about some form of financing that could be recovered, possibly with interest, on a deferred basis. The projections are rosy over the long term, so is it not a case that the project could return the taxpayers' money in the longer term?

MS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, if Mr Quinlan had read the Access Economics report he would have seen that the project actually does return the taxpayers' money in the longer term. In fact, when you have a look at the - - -

Mr Quinlan: Sorry, direct.

MS CARNELL: Mr Quinlan said, "Return the taxpayers' money". The fact is that this - - -

Opposition members interjected.

MR SPEAKER: Order, please! Let the Chief Minister answer the question, otherwise I will ask the Chief Minister to sit down.

Mr Berry: That would be a good idea.

Mr Quinlan: Sit her down.

MS CARNELL: I am happy to sit down, Mr Speaker. If they do not want to ask questions, that is fine.

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