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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 8 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2302 ..

MR CORNWELL (continuing):

This has been an ongoing problem for many years. People are constantly falling between the cracks. It is true that some of them are asset rich, but that does not mean that they are not cash poor, as is often the case. I would therefore ask members to seriously consider going along with this motion.

I cannot comment on whether South Australia made their arrangement before the government changed, Mr Corbell. All I know is that South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory have agreed in principle, and it seems to me that the ACT runs a great risk of finding that our self-funded retirees are the only people in Australia who do not have the extended concessions that have been offered on a very reasonable basis by the Commonwealth. If that is the case, then our self-funded retirees will be second class citizens or beneficiaries. That would be to this territory's eternal shame.

Question put:

That Mr Cornwell's motion be agreed to.

The Assembly voted-

Ayes 7

Noes 6

Mr Cornwell

Mr Smyth

Mr Berry

Ms MacDonald

Ms Dundas

Mr Stefaniak

Mr Corbell

Mr Stanhope

Mrs Dunne

Ms Tucker

Ms Gallagher

Mr Humphries

Mr Hargreaves

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

Motion agreed to.

Canberra 400 V8 supercar event-contract

MS GALLAGHER (5.55): I move:

That this Assembly calls on the Minister for Economic Development, Business and Tourism to table the contract relating to the Canberra 400 V8 Supercar event.

I am raising this issue today because there is an expectation of politics and of government that there be a base level of clarity and transparency in government actions, especially those that involve the expenditure of taxpayer dollars. The Canberra 400 V8 supercar race is a significant event in the life of the Canberra tourism year. It requires significant works in the Parliamentary Triangle and involves significant expenditure by government. It also attracts thousands of visitors to the ACT and promotes Canberra across Australia and internationally.

It was expected that the race would ultimately generate benefits for Canberra, especially the hospitality industry, but there has been a heated debate recently about whether the benefits of the event warrant the cost of hosting it.

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