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."