Page 1413 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 26 September 1989
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Mr Speaker, I claim to have been misrepresented. There was no suggestion at all in my question other than that I was asking Mr Berry why he did not know, if someone was working so close to him - that is, the member of the Chief Minister's staff - of the plight of the homeless youth. Indeed, I made no implication whatsoever because I myself am involved to a certain degree in that same enterprise.
APPROPRIATION BILL 1989-90
MS FOLLETT (Treasurer) (3.15): I present the Appropriation Bill 1989-90. I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
Mr Speaker, today I am pleased to present the ACT Government's budget for 1989-90, the first for a self-governed Australian Capital Territory. The budget demonstrates that the Government has taken a balanced, responsible approach to the economic, financial and social issues facing the ACT. It builds on the work which was presented in July in the 1989-90 initial budget statement.
This budget has been developed in a climate of open discussion. Never before has any community in Australia been able to have input into a budget so readily. The budget consultation process, which I will elaborate on a little later, has been successful and popular with the community. It has been valuable and has had a significant impact on the shape of this budget. We are responsive to community wishes.
The consultation process has convinced the Government that there is no flaw in the principles underlying the initial budget statement: economic development and social justice. The Government espouses a fairer, more equitable ACT formed on a sound economic base. The budget begins this process.
I will now discuss briefly the ACT's relations with the Commonwealth. The first ACT budget has been prepared in the shadow of several Commonwealth Government decisions which impact directly on the ACT. First, there was the decision at the Premiers Conference to freeze funds, now estimated at some $21m, which were guaranteed to the ACT as part of the self-government package. The Commonwealth undertook to allow the ACT access to at least part of this money during 1989-90 for restructuring purposes. I wrote to the Prime Minister seeking release of these funds in July, at the time of the initial budget statement. To date, I have not received a positive response, a situation which I believe is totally unsatisfactory. I am vigorously pursuing this matter.
The Commonwealth's decisions relating to ACT land are also having an adverse impact. The national land gazetted before self-government included several blocks with no
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