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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 5 Hansard (10 May) . . Page.. 1382 ..

MR HIRD (continuing):

By contrast, Mr Deputy Speaker, this government knows the value of the future of Canberra, and the region depends on the quality and the amount of private sector investment. That starts with confidence, and that is what Mr McMullan was talking about this morning on radio-confidence that the government understands business, and confidence that there is a reasonable expectation of business growth and making a profit. Did you hear that, Mr Berry? I hope you did. If a business is profitable, it will grow and employ more people. We will all benefit from that.

To me, 356 direct jobs and 800 flow-on jobs as a result of Impulse Airlines coming here is a matter of great significance. So is the boost to our economy of the $413 million over that period. So is the setting up of new businesses in Canberra, such as aircraft servicing facilities, aero ministry training and service industries based at the airport. We can see that the airport is getting on with the job, thanks to this government. This government is giving support to the new operators of the Canberra Airport. Savings for families-for example, Mr Deputy Speaker, $50 on a flight to Sydney-are also important to our community. This is great news not only just for Canberra, Mr Deputy Speaker, but for the whole region. Well done, Chief Minister.

MR QUINLAN (3.44): I thank Mr Hird for his state of the territory statement.

Mr Hird: Thank you. You have to say it is a good thing. You have to say that.

MR QUINLAN: I have to say, Mr Hird, that that was just an appalling collection of sweeping generalisations. I am mystified as to why you introduced the topic to this place at this time.

Mr Hird: Four-hundred and thirty-five jobs.

MR QUINLAN: I remain mystified. During question time the Chief Minister quoted from a statement that I made in June last year in relation to the development of Canberra as a knowledge-based economy and a centre of excellence. You might read on because within the speech that I delivered to the annual conference of the ALP last year I discussed the reinforcement of the Majura transport hub. I discussed the attraction of regional airlines to the ACT. I discussed the development of the ACT as a genuine viable alternative to Sydney as a place where rural people can come to avail themselves of services that are not readily available in their particular localities.

I am fairly certain that if a regional airline wishing to set up in Canberra had approached an ALP government we would have looked at the deal in a very positive light. We do not know the full complexities of the deal that has been done with Impulse Airlines. Unless we have a lot more nitty-gritty data we do not know who the real beneficiary is-whether it is Impulse Airlines or whether it is the airport who gets the money, who owns the facility, and how much rent is paid between the airline and the airport for the use of the facility. All of that would have to be calculated right through. So you will have to allow us a small number of reservations in relation to the deal when it was brought to this place. This deal did receive the full support of the ALP, but, while supporting it, we are not so stupid as to say, "Good idea; let's do it without thinking it through." This caucus is a thinking caucus, and it will be the nucleus of a thinking government, hopefully by the end of next year.

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