Pubdate: Fri, 26 May 2000
Source: Canberra Times (Australia)
Copyright: 2000 Canberra Times
Contact:  http://www.canberratimes.com.au/
Author: Liz Armitage

RUGENDYKE THREAT TO BLOCK BUDGET

The ACT Budget faces a stormy passage through the Assembly, with 
Independent Dave Rugendyke threatening yesterday to block the entire Budget 
because of the injecting room.

The Government needs the support of two cross-benchers to get its Budget 
over the line.

Chief Minister Kate Carnell said this week her Government would stand or 
fall on its Budget.

It was an all-or-nothing matter and the Government would not allow the 
Budget to be picked over the line by cross-benchers. The Budget allocates 
$800,000 to set up the ACT injecting room in 2000-01.

Mr Rugendyke said there were good aspects in the Budget but he had to stand 
by his principles.

"I am not going to allow the shooting-gallery funding to sit on my 
conscience," Mr Rugendyke said.

"I cannot desert my conscience for the sake of your Budget," he told the 
Assembly.

"If this is an all-or-none Budget you are going to need the Labor Party to 
get it passed."

Labor Leader Jon Stanhope said last night Caucus had not yet made a 
decision but "it's quite likely that we will not be supporting the Budget 
this year".

He added, "Mr Rugendyke's view isn't relevant to the Labor Party's 
consideration of its position."

The other three cross-benchers said it was too early to say if they would 
support the Budget.

But Greens Member Kerrie Tucker said Mr Rugendyke would not influence her 
decision.

"He's attempting to hold the whole Assembly to ransom by saying he's not 
going to support anybody who is going to put money into the safe injecting 
room."

Mr Rugendyke also warned that, "if the Labor Party gains Government I would 
not support a shooting gallery either".

United Canberra Trevor Kaine said he had shared Mr Rugendyke's concerns 
about the injecting room.

"But I don't think I have a right to refuse a Government's Budget on that 
issue alone."
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