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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 13 Hansard (19 November) . . Page.. 3745 ..

MR CORNWELL (continuing):

You yourself, Treasurer, spoke of this $1.92 to $3.25. There was a further quote from ActewAGL of $12. The ICRC, in its draft report of May, spoke of a $2 per month rise. Yet, in the July final report, it spoke of a $6 per month increase. These are confusing situations. We do need some clarification. May I say, Mr Treasurer, the confusion is compounded, if that is the word, because we do not have a copy of your statement. Is it your intention to distribute what you have just spoken to?

Ms Tucker: I'd like a copy.

MR CORNWELL: Well, there you are. Ms Tucker indicates that she would like a copy. Indeed, Ms Tucker, if I may join you, I would be delighted to have a copy as well.

Mr Quinlan: Well, you are not getting it-because there is a lot in here that I didn't say.

MR CORNWELL: Excuse me. May I just say, Mr Speaker, that I think copies of such important documentation should be available to members if they wish to have a copy. It is very difficult to follow ministers' statements if you are making notes on the way. I would like a copy of it.

I was interested to hear that you said that the government, on balance, has joined this national competition policy arrangement. I would suggest that at the moment the balance on the basis of which you have joined is out of whack, because we do not have enough information. I notice that you admit that there is no precise data. There might be 13 retailers in the market. We do not know about that.

Mr Quinlan: I'm presuming you've read the ICRC report.

MR CORNWELL: I have. I am interested in your reference to the Parer report. I have seen media comment about it. I do not have a copy of that report yet, and I understand from your comments that it is not necessarily available.

Mr Quinlan: It will definitely be on the right-hand side of your desk.

MR CORNWELL: Yes, and I will feel very comforted by that, Mr Quinlan-extremely so. I remain concerned about the need for further information in relation to this whole matter-1 March 2003 is not that far away. We have Christmas and various holiday sessions in the middle of that. It is important that all consumers know what is proposed, particularly the domestic users, who certainly appear to be faced with paying more for their electricity. There is no question or argument about this. The only question that arises is how much more.

Nevertheless, I thank you for your comments, undetailed as they may be, and look forward to following this matter in the months ahead. I also foreshadow, Mr Speaker, that there will be a motion on the notice paper tomorrow in relation to an aspect of this matter.

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