Page 1085 - Week 03 - Thursday, 26 February 2009
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proposition from them, that we do not do anything; that we have got emerging issues in our economy—and they are only emerging—
Opposition members interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: and some concern that there may be some softening and less work around; that there may be fewer jobs, that people might let staff go, that apprentices might not be taken on.
Opposition members interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: We are just meant to sit there and say, “Oh, well, we might not be able to deliver a whole package; therefore we won’t do one at all.” What a ridiculous proposition.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order!
MS GALLAGHER: I look forward to providing the public accounts committee with all the information that we are able to, to address some of the concerns that the opposition have jumped to immediately. Within one hour of tabling this appropriation, the opposition are already talking it down. That is not what we need at the moment. What we need at the moment is for the Assembly to accept that there are some genuine concerns from businesses around the next 12 to 18 months—genuine concern that they might lay staff off. This government does not want to sit here and pretend there is not a problem and not respond. This third appropriation is a very modest response to the concerns that we are seeing emerge—
Opposition members interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: and the challenge to the opposition is not to talk it down but to look at it on its merit, to question me at the estimates committee and to work with us to make sure that these projects are not delayed, that they are delivered—
Mr Hargreaves: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Could you draw attention to standing order 202 to those opposite, please.
MR SPEAKER: Just one moment, Mr Hargreaves. I will have to consult my book.
MS GALLAGHER: I have finished, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: I remind members on both sides of the chamber of standing order 202. I think it is one that we could use more usefully in this place, more consistently. Ms Gallagher, would you like to continue or have you finished?
MS GALLAGHER: I think I have.
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