Page 1148 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 22 August 1989
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On 5 July this year, the Government asked the Standing Committee on Public Accounts to examine principles relating to appropriate financial administration and audit legislation. I look forward to the opportunity that this provides for wide-ranging input from the community and the business sector. The committee synthesis of their views and the aspirations of the Assembly will provide vital building blocks in this important area of legislation.
To sum up, Mr Speaker, both the direct and indirect effects of the Commonwealth budget on the ACT contained no surprises. The Premiers Conference and Loan Council arrangements are the single most important determinant of direct funding from the Commonwealth to the Territory. This was known prior to the development of the Government's budget strategy, and it was the foundation on which it was built. The Commonwealth's economic and fiscal strategy was generally in line with our expectations.
Furthermore, Mr Speaker, it is easy to make sweeping statements about the budget strategy and the need for bigger cuts, and to demand wide-ranging, expensive reviews and audits. The Government has been taking note of important concerns about the budget, and I welcome the many helpful, constructive comments. As well, we have gone a long way towards ensuring the ACT is not burdened with levels of inherited financial liabilities that would jeopardise future ACT Government flexibility.
Mr Speaker, I present the following papers:
1989-90 Commonwealth Budget - Ministerial statement, 22 August 1989; and
Commonwealth Net Payments to the ACT - 1988-89 and 1989-90.
I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the papers.
MR KAINE (Leader of the Opposition) (3.34): Mr Speaker, I have been listening almost open-mouthed for the last 25 minutes to a statement which I thought the Chief Minister said was to do with the Federal budget. She seems to have traversed every subject matter that could possibly be dragged up in relation to anything financial, and I do not know whether she did that in order to try to obscure the trail, to try to put us off the scent of the consequences of the Federal budget for the ACT, or whether she really thinks that some of the things about which she talked were relevant.
I did detect, Mr Speaker, that, amongst other things, she is very sensitive to the question of budgeting - but not the Federal budgeting; rather her own draft budget. Otherwise, I cannot imagine why, with a consultative committee in place, which is not going to lead to anything conclusive for at least two more meetings, she chooses now to traverse
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