ACT BUDGET HANGS ON OSBORNE'S VOTE

Trevor Kaine will support the Carnell Government's sixth Budget on
Thursday, leaving fellow cross-bencher Paul Osborne with the critical
vote.

"I can't see that I have any basis for rejecting the Government's
Budget at this point," Mr Kaine said yesterday.

An opponent of the heroin-injecting room, Mr Kaine said those who
opposed the Budget on this issue had no concept of democratic
processes. "I happen to believe in democracy," he said. "And that
matter has been voted on on the floor of the House and I lost."

Independent Dave Rugendyke is set to block the health line of the
Appropriation Bill because it allocates $800,000 for an injecting room.

Without Mr Rugendyke, the Government needs one more vote to get its
Budget over the line. Mr Osborne could not be contacted yesterday but
he said last week he was finding the decision "extremely difficult" in
light of his strong opposition to the injecting room.

The possibility of the Government falling on legislation that was
supported by a majority in the Assembly has triggered a re-think by
Greens Member Kerrie Tucker.

"This could be an influence in my decision on the Budget," Ms Tucker
said.

"While we have in the past voted against this Government's Budgets . .
. It's very concerning that a government could fall because a number
of individuals decided to focus on one issue which they lost in a
democratic debate."

The Government has vowed not to strike out the injecting-room funding,
saying it will stand or fall on the first surplus Budget in the
history of self-government.

Treasurer Gary Humphries reminded cross-benchers the injecting room
trial would go ahead under a Liberal or Labor government.

But Mr Rugendyke said Mr Humphries had been to see him and failed to
move him.

The former policeman began his day with a woman calling to him in the
Assembly car park, "stick to your guns Dave".

At lunchtime, two people on the street pulled him aside to
congratulate him on his stance.

"Everywhere I go it's, 'Good on you Dave, stick to your guns'," Mr
Rugendyke said.

"It's great. The silent majority certainly speaks to me on the
street."

Mr Rugendyke said he would not shoulder any responsibility if the
Carnell Government fell because it could not get its Budget through
the Assembly.

"They know exactly where I stand. They know exactly what to do to
retain government if they want my vote.

"It'd be negligent and irresponsible of the Liberal Party to allow the
Government to fall on an issue that only two of them voted for in the
first place."

Chief Minister Kate Carnell and Urban Services Minister Brendan Smyth
split with party policy to support the trial.