Page 2261 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 3 August 2022
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What the government is planning for is an increase in the city’s housing stock from around 180,000 dwellings to 210,000 dwellings over the next five years. That population growth will obviously need and demand more housing but, of course, also broadens the territory’s revenue base. More rate paying households contribute to more revenue together with the GST and the other sources of funds. This provides a stronger resource base and a more diverse resource base to meet the service demands of that increased population.
We also need to continue our focus on infrastructure investment. We need to continue to invest in apprenticeships, traineeships and vocational education. We need to continue to invest in public education. That is why we are undertaking a very ambitious program of both school and TAFE infrastructure investment.
MS ORR: Chief Minister, what would cuts to this important service funding mean for such a rapidly growing population?
MR BARR: At a time when our population is rapidly growing, and when there is demand for more services and a need to invest in infrastructure, it is quite extraordinary that the alternative government is proposing a series of budget cuts and a reduction and scrapping of a range of important infrastructure projects. They are seeking to advance that agenda through a commission of audit—like Campbell Newman, like Joe Hockey and Tony Abbott. What the Opposition Leader owes to the Canberra Community is to outline what their alternative budget is.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR BARR: You cannot come into this place and argue that we have a budget deficit and debt is too high and then not outline how you would propose to address that—by reducing expenditure and cutting programs and projects.
What we saw yesterday was an attempt by the Liberal Party to outsource their policymaking to an independent auditor. What they need to do is the hard work and identify the areas they wish to cut—because that is the Liberal Party playbook.
Ms Lee interjecting—
MR BARR: If you are concerned about debt and deficit, Leader of the Opposition, it is on you now—in your speech tomorrow—to outline what you will cut.
Ms Lee interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Ms Lee!
MR BARR: What will you cut, Ms Lee? That is the question that Canberran’s want to know and the question that will be asked of you every day you remain Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Treasurer. What do you want to cut? Which programs and which infrastructure projects, and why do you want to cut when our population is growing rapidly?
Opposition members interjecting—
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