Dr LIM - 2001-10-17
I was going to direct this question to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Development but, based on a couple of answers he has given, I should direct this to the Chief Minister and allow her to assist her minister.
Businesses out there are facing bleak times, difficult times. There is a slowdown of business, and business people are saying that the Labor government is sitting on its collective hands, that the government is blaming everyone - blaming the former government - instead of getting on with the job of governing and encouraging business development. Just in case the Chief Minister has not noticed, local businesses out there are battling, doing it hard. In the face of these bleak times, can you confirm that the government’s capital works spending is proceeding in a business-as-usual fashion and that it is not affected by Labor’s mini-budget processes, both in terms of timing of projects and the money budgeted?
Mr STIRLING: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: I think he has asked the question. That was your concern?
Mr STIRLING: I wanted to point out that ministers have been very sharp and quick in their responses. This question is as long as any answer any minister has given this afternoon.
Dr Lim: This question is very precise. Why don’t you sit down and let the question be answered.
Mr STIRLING: We are prepared to give short, sharp answers to questions. At least get your questions right.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of Government Business, resume your seat.
Dr Lim: Shall I repeat my question?
Madam SPEAKER: No, I think we have heard enough from you.
ANSWER
The longest question for this sitting so far. The capital works - if I take a step back. When we went to the last election we said: ‘We will honour all capital works commitment made by the previous administration’. That is what we are doing, that is very much what we are doing.
We have some major capital works projects that are currently underway, and I am sure you are all aware of them - the Darwin Hospital, the Alice Springs Hospital and the second stage of the port. The tenders have been let. Make no mistake, the dollars are out there; the dollars are working for Territorians and they are working for all those in construction. Very sadly, each time we turn another page over from the record of the previous administration, we are finding, increasingly, projects that have no cash against them, and this is a real indictment. I warn the opposition, you will be hearing more about this, because that again is another fraud that has been perpetrated on Territorians.
To respond to another point that the member for Greatorex made - business is very enthusiastic about our development summit. Business has said: ‘This is what we want. We want a chance to be engaged by government. We had the cloth ears for too long, who never listened to us. This is an important event; this is moving business forward and it is certainly moving the Territory forward’.
Businesses out there are facing bleak times, difficult times. There is a slowdown of business, and business people are saying that the Labor government is sitting on its collective hands, that the government is blaming everyone - blaming the former government - instead of getting on with the job of governing and encouraging business development. Just in case the Chief Minister has not noticed, local businesses out there are battling, doing it hard. In the face of these bleak times, can you confirm that the government’s capital works spending is proceeding in a business-as-usual fashion and that it is not affected by Labor’s mini-budget processes, both in terms of timing of projects and the money budgeted?
Mr STIRLING: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: I think he has asked the question. That was your concern?
Mr STIRLING: I wanted to point out that ministers have been very sharp and quick in their responses. This question is as long as any answer any minister has given this afternoon.
Dr Lim: This question is very precise. Why don’t you sit down and let the question be answered.
Mr STIRLING: We are prepared to give short, sharp answers to questions. At least get your questions right.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of Government Business, resume your seat.
Dr Lim: Shall I repeat my question?
Madam SPEAKER: No, I think we have heard enough from you.
ANSWER
The longest question for this sitting so far. The capital works - if I take a step back. When we went to the last election we said: ‘We will honour all capital works commitment made by the previous administration’. That is what we are doing, that is very much what we are doing.
We have some major capital works projects that are currently underway, and I am sure you are all aware of them - the Darwin Hospital, the Alice Springs Hospital and the second stage of the port. The tenders have been let. Make no mistake, the dollars are out there; the dollars are working for Territorians and they are working for all those in construction. Very sadly, each time we turn another page over from the record of the previous administration, we are finding, increasingly, projects that have no cash against them, and this is a real indictment. I warn the opposition, you will be hearing more about this, because that again is another fraud that has been perpetrated on Territorians.
To respond to another point that the member for Greatorex made - business is very enthusiastic about our development summit. Business has said: ‘This is what we want. We want a chance to be engaged by government. We had the cloth ears for too long, who never listened to us. This is an important event; this is moving business forward and it is certainly moving the Territory forward’.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016