Page 233 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 12 May 1992
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Unfortunately, Madam Speaker, there has been a misapprehension in some quarters, including amongst the Opposition, notably the Leader of the Opposition, that yesterday's meeting should have resolved the level of Commonwealth funding for the ACT. This was never on the agenda of yesterday's meeting and was always a matter for the regular financial Premiers Conference next month.
Madam Speaker, as yesterday was the third anniversary of self-government in the ACT, the decision by heads of government yesterday to establish a Council of Australian Governments, and the inclusion of the ACT in its own right on that council, was particularly welcome and appropriate. The council will be a permanent forum for consultation between the Prime Minister, Premiers, Chief Ministers and the President of the Australian Local Government Association. Its role will be to increase cooperation among governments in the national interest and on reforms to achieve an integrated national economy, and to ensure intergovernmental consultation on other major issues. I see this continuing consultation between all Australian governments as an important means of achieving more effective delivery of services to people in the community.
In the area of Commonwealth-State financial relations, it was encouraging to note a commitment by the Commonwealth to work with the States and Territories in examining budgetary prospects and issues, including a consideration of underlying structural factors. This will provide a valuable basis for more detailed consideration at the June conference.
One particular matter I raised with the Prime Minister was my concern to protect the level of services to the ACT community. I believe that the Commonwealth must guarantee a realistic level of funding to all States and Territories to enable us to continue to deliver the services for which we are responsible. I therefore welcomed the Commonwealth's acknowledgment of the needs of the States and Territories for adequate resources, and for predictability, flexibility and growth in funding. I should add, however, that the Commonwealth set out in very clear terms its own financial pressures and the problems it is grappling with.
Turning to areas of micro-economic reform, a major agreement was reached to enact legislation for the mutual recognition of goods and qualifications between jurisdictions. The agreement continues the progress made in this area by Premiers and Chief Ministers at our meeting in Adelaide last November, and now includes the Commonwealth as a full participant.
Mutual recognition will ensure that goods which can be sold lawfully in one jurisdiction can be sold in other jurisdictions. Similarly, occupational qualifications will be recognised across State and Territory borders. This arrangement creates a common market within Australia, allowing the free passage of goods and skills across the country. This is particularly significant for the ACT in view of our close proximity to and our relations with the surrounding region of New South Wales.
However, the mutual recognition legislation will not apply to certain categories of goods in which a national market is not considered desirable, such as firearms. I was able to secure an important concession from the meeting yesterday. At my request the ACT Weapons Act has been specifically exempted from the scheme.
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