Page 1518 - Week 04 - Thursday, 25 March 2010
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MS GALLAGHER: I stand by the decisions the government has taken in relation to employment of staff in key government service delivery areas: in terms of health, in terms of education, in terms of justice and community safety, in terms of Calvary Public Hospital, in terms of ACTION staff—recruitment to drive the new buses. These are policy decisions of this government to deliver the best services we can to the community and I stand by the decisions the government has taken.
MR SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth?
MR SMYTH: Treasurer, you have just said that it is preferable for staff numbers to fall. How many staff would you like to see fall from the ACT public service?
MS GALLAGHER: I did not say that.
Mr Smyth: You did. You just said it would be preferable for staff numbers to fall.
MS GALLAGHER: No, I did not say it is preferable for staff numbers to fall, Mr Smyth. I did not say it. Indeed, the quote that you used was from Mr Cappie-Wood’s instruction to agencies, I believe.
Mr Smyth: So you don’t believe it?
Mr Seselja: Was that unauthorised?
MS GALLAGHER: Well, no. All I am saying is that the question from Mr Smyth was: “You said it is preferable that staff numbers fall,” and I did not say that. What we are looking for is restraint in terms of employment of staff post the Commonwealth Grants Commission process, where it was clear that we were going to lose an additional $85 million out of our bottom line. That was responsible action for this government to take. I stand by that decision.
Mr Seselja: It was Andrew Cappie-Wood’s decision.
MS GALLAGHER: I stand by the advice that Mr Cappie-Wood has presented to agencies.
Mr Seselja: You seem to be distancing yourself from it.
MS GALLAGHER: No, I am not distancing, Mr Speaker. I am not distancing; I am just pointing out for the—
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: One moment, Ms Gallagher. Stop the clock. Members, we are off to a bad start in question time today. I have made my position clear over the last two weeks. Someone will be warned in a moment if this continues.
Mr Hanson: Are you going to call someone a slime bucket, Jon?
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video