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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 4 Hansard (30 March) . . Page.. 1187 ..

MR BERRY (continuing):

Mr Speaker, this morning we heard on the radio some debate about the report from ACTBIS, which is chaired by Mr Volker, who is a man of standing in the community in relation to these matters. The information that was coming to us in relation to the matter was that it was available to Cabinet when they made the decision in the first place. There was a request for it and the Leader of the Opposition was told in the first place that it was commercial-in-confidence. I think the Canberra Times was told later by the Chief Minister's office that it was Cabinet-in-confidence, and who would ask for a Cabinet document? This morning we heard the Chief Minister say, "No, we are going to make it public". The message is a bit confusing. There has been resistance of all sorts to this document coming out but, most curiously, we find that it could not be handed out before this point because it had not been signed off, yet it had been to Cabinet. What a curious set of circumstances! Against the background of all of the form that I have previously referred to, which I know from the context of this deal, there are still more confusing lines of information coming from the Government.

Let us not forget a few things. Impulse Airlines has no obligation to the Territory; it has its obligations to its shareholders. I accept that and that is right and proper. It will do the best it can for its shareholders. Similarly, the owners of Canberra International Airport will do the best they can for their principals, and I expect that utterly. Mr Snow has made a massive investment in that airport. I believe it to be not only a financial investment, but a personal one as well, and I know that he is working to ensure as much as he can that the airport grows. But his commitment is an economic one of his own interests. He is to be respected for that. That is the name of the game. That is business; that is the market.

We have a job here to protect the Territory's interests and, in particular, the taxpayers' interest. I am absolutely delighted, even excited, that this airline has decided to come here, but I am most sceptical about the business welfare which has been provided. I want to see results. On the basis of the form of this Government in relation to these sorts of issues, I am extremely sceptical. (Extension of time granted) I am entitled to be sceptical. For my part, I will be watching developments in the future.

It is noted, of course, that future governments are the ones that are going to have to show this deal in their budgets as they write off the loan; so this Government escapes the odium of that. As I understand it, the financing arrangement for the infrastructure is to be settled as a result of this incentive package is yet to be settled as well and negotiations are still proceeding. That makes me even more cautious about the issue. Yes, on the face of it, you cannot criticise it; but the deeper you dig, the more cautious you get.

On the basis of my experience with this Government, I will be watching the issue very closely. I am pleased that the Government has decided to accept its Executive responsibility and take the matter forward as it pleases, as it should have done in the first place. I am also happy that some information has been provided to this Assembly to give us a bit of an idea of what the Government has been up to in relation to the matter. But there is a lot more water to pass under the bridge. I am happy to note what the Government is doing and also note its background performance in relation to this issue. Mr Speaker, I am therefore happy to support the motion with all of those reservations.

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