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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 3 Hansard (8 March) . . Page.. 862 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

Fortunately, the ACT is bucking the national trend and the ACT economy continues to perform very well. Consumer confidence is very high in the ACT. Employment prospects are much higher than national averages. Retail spending in the ACT is still very strong. ACT unemployment is still much lower than the national figure. The ACT is defying national trends on almost every indicator.

Mr Berry: But-keep going-but-

MR HUMPHRIES: There is no "but" here, Mr Speaker. I have a feeling-just a little snitch of a feeling in the back of my mind-that those opposite do not believe Mr Peters.

Mr Stanhope: We don't. We think he has a severe credibility problem.

MR HUMPHRIES: Fair enough. Well, I have a much more authoritative source to quote, Mr Speaker, and that source is none other than the current Leader of the Opposition, Mr Stanhope, who said in the Assembly on Tuesday night:

We have a robust and vigorous economy that will continue to grow in the ACT. This is a great place, if not the greatest place, to invest.

I find myself in furious agreement with Mr Stanhope-absolutely. If we are doing that well, Mr Stanhope, I am sure-

Mr Stanhope: It would be far better if you weren't in the job you're in.

MR HUMPHRIES: I know it is embarrassing.

Mr Stanhope: It is not embarrassing; it's just that it would be much better if you weren't over there destroying it.

MR HUMPHRIES: You say it would be doing much better if I was not in the job that I was in. I can understand your focus on jobs just at the moment, and jobs in this place in particular. It is strange you raise that subject. It must be at the top of your mind at the moment, Mr Stanhope.

Mr Stanhope: I'm very focused on 20 October, Gary, and I'm sure you are too.

Mr Stefaniak: I'm trying to hear this.

MR SPEAKER: Order! The house will come to order.

MR HUMPHRIES: Once again we note the assurance of this place that the Labor Party will win the election in October. It is a very interesting assertion. We will see what happens, shall we? I am proud of what we have achieved. We have created the right environment for business growth and we will continue to do that, because that is where the jobs, the vitality and the future of the ACT are bound up.

MR SPEAKER: I was looking at standing order 117 (d), Mr Chief Minister, when you were answering that question.

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