ACT pollies come up with cracker of a debate.

(From Canberra Times)

The Stanhope Labor Government put forward its case for another term at the territory's version of the Great Debate yesterday, saying it was the only party with the ''strong sense of purpose and direction'' to lead the territory.

But the ACT Liberals hit back saying they would bring excitement back to the capital with fireworks at New Year's and plans for a Creative Canberra.

And so it came to pass that as Opposition Leader Mark Latham set about selling his Medicare Gold yesterday in the run-up to the October 9 federal election, the territory's own campaign was left with the ACT leaders debating about crackers and bus shelters at the National Press Club.

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope used the business debate to hit back at suggestions that the Government had been big on compiling reports but had failed to take any action.

''My Government has been accused - often and loudly - of planning too much. But I would rather stand accused of that heinous sin than the folly of planning too little, or not at all,'' he said.

''Maybe you can't water your garden with a report, but you sure as eggs can't run a hospital, pay our doctors and nurses, educate our children, build our roads, police our ...