Page 2086 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 21 June 2005
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organisations that we have built links with on those government junkets that you guys have been talking about. We have MOUs in place that have allowed for a whole process of distance learning in respect of the United States market. In fact, we have been able to facilitate a visit to the United States by the principals of Perpetual Water and to connect them to possible distributors, possible partners and possible venture capitalists within the United States.
I think what we have here is one fantastic product. The development of this fantastic product is a prime example of the strategy that the government has put in place in order to build business within the ACT through the knowledge bank. The figures that I have to date indicate that as a result of the investments that we have made in relation to the knowledge bank, something like 300 full-time jobs and 39 part-time jobs have been created within the enterprises that this government has assisted.
Occasionally our opposition have taken a swipe at the knowledge bank process. I think Mr Smyth once described it as the “failed knowledge bank”. Well, Mr Smyth, go tell that to Perpetual Water. I notice that you put out a press release on it, Mr Smyth. I notice that you turned up for 30 seconds at the launch uninvited.
Mr Smyth: No, I was there much longer than 30 seconds.
MR QUINLAN: Certainly I am sure you were not there long enough to hear the recognition that the government and BusinessACT received from this particular company. I will close by emphasising that this is one of quite a number of companies that will grow and will enhance the ACT economy because of what we are doing with them.
Social working group
MR SESELJA: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Children, Youth and Family Support. Minister, you were asked in the estimates committee hearing about the establishment of a working group recommended in community services and social equity report 7, of August 2004. You took my question on notice and have since answered it by telling the committee that the working group met for the first time on 6 June 2005—a week after I asked the question. On what date was the working group formed? When was each of its members informed of their membership and advised of their roles?
MS GALLAGHER: I will have to take that question on notice. I will seek the information from my department. I don’t know. The question you asked, which we responded to on notice was, “When did it meet?” We responded to that question but I will certainly take the question you have now asked and get some advice from my department.
MR SESELJA: Mr Speaker, I have a supplementary question. Minister, given that you were asked this question in estimates, why do you not know? Is it incompetence, or are you just hiding from the facts here? Are you just hiding the truth from the Assembly?
MS GALLAGHER: The question asked at estimates was, “Has the working group been established; and when did it meet?” The answer to that is yes, it has been established; and we gave you a date for it. We took it on notice at the hearing.
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