Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 4 Hansard (29 March) . . Page.. 1034 ..

MR HARGREAVES: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Chief Minister. Judging by her answer to a question from Ms Tucker yesterday, the Chief Minister agrees that the practice of States and Territories engaging in bidding wars - "Dutch auctions", in the Chief Minister's words - to attract new business is counterproductive and, in fact, against the national interest. Does she agree that, closer to home, the ACT Government and neighbouring councils should work cooperatively in the interests of regional development?

MS CARNELL: Absolutely, and we do. We had a regional leaders forum meeting just this week, Mr Speaker. The regional leaders forum is an initiative of this Government. We started it very shortly after we were first elected. I have to say that it is one of the most successful forums that exist. In fact, in looking at outcomes from that forum, we were the first entity or region in Australia to have a regional environment report, which other parts of Australia are now looking at putting in place. For example, money from the ACT for the national telecommunications infrastructure has been rolled in with money from New South Wales to get a regional telemedicine program approved. That could not have been done without cross-border cooperation. Similarly, with database projects, we are looking at putting all businesses from the ACT and region on a database for access by other businesses that are looking at buying locally. All of those things are progressing and they would not have happened without the participation of the ACT. The helicopter project is another which has progressed very efficiently as a result of regional cooperation.

MR HARGREAVES: I thank the Chief Minister for that comprehensive response. As a supplementary question, I ask: Is the Chief Minister aware of the forthcoming relocation from Bombala to the ACT of the Toorallie woollen mill, with the consequent loss of 20 jobs in a struggling country town? Did the ACT Government offer any relocation incentive to the company, an incentive which, in effect, outbid the New South Wales Government?

MS CARNELL: The answer is that we did not. Toorallie decided to move to the ACT because they believe that to grow their business and to employ more people in the future they need to have access to a greater number of tourists. It is that simple for them. They also need access, in their view, to a greater spectrum of employees with particular skills. The arrangement that Toorallie has reached with the people who own/lease the land at Harcourt Hill or Gold Creek is a commercial relationship between two businesses. We will welcome Toorallie to the ACT. I have spoken to the mayor of Bombala and explained the situation. She totally accepted that. Toorallie has undertaken to maintain a presence in the Bombala area.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .