Page 820 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 16 June 1992
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I believe that we must aim to provide as high a proportion as possible of our future housing needs through a program of urban renewal. This is a major plank in our platform of structural change and it has received strong support in our consultation leading up to this budget strategy statement. It will restrain the demands on our budgets in future years, reduce environmental damage and provide beneficial social effects, particularly by increasing the viability of existing community services such as schools and local shopping centres.
While the Commonwealth funding currently provides some allowance for Canberra's dispersed structure, this does not apply to those areas where policy decisions are now a matter for us rather than the Commonwealth Government. In the past, the ACT community has formed its preferences on urban densities without regard to costs, as these did not impact directly on the community. Those days have gone. The debate on planning and development in the ACT can no longer be carried on in a financial vacuum.
Madam Speaker, part of our budget strategy must, of course, involve a consideration of the revenue side of the budget. The Government wishes to avoid imposing an unfair burden on any section of the community. Past revenue decisions brought our tax base largely into line with the States. The potential for significant increases is also constrained by possible impacts on employment and investment.
Given that the benefits of our strong push for efficiency will take time to fully accrue, we must consider selective increases in revenue over the next three years. In particular, we will be reviewing the scope for charging on a full cost recovery basis for certain services, including those of a municipal nature and those where there are environmental costs. While the Government will keep issues of affordability, access and equity in the forefront, an increased emphasis on cost recovery is an important factor in ensuring that services are used effectively. The Government will also be reviewing tax legislation to ensure that we minimise the impact of tax avoidance on our revenue collections. Over the course of the next two weeks Ministers will also be announcing the outcome of the Government's annual review of fees and charges.
Madam Speaker, community consultation has become the hallmark of ACT Labor budgets. As I noted earlier, the Government has sought the views of a number of peak non-government bodies before putting together this three-year strategy. It is now time to start a wider consultative process, reaching out to the whole community. The community must have a say in our planning for the future. Indeed, the plan cannot succeed unless it has the confidence and support of the community. I am extending an invitation to everyone in our community, as individuals or groups, to write to me or to the responsible Minister before mid-July to present their views on this strategy and next year's budget. I have also asked each Minister to consult specifically with umbrella groups within their portfolios as an additional input to the 1992-93 budget deliberations. All these inputs will be considered carefully by the Government in the lead-up to the 1992-93 budget.
In conclusion, let me again state that Labor is committed to a secure financial future for the Territory. If we take tough decisions in some areas, we will do so with the aim of ensuring that quality services are delivered to the people of the ACT and that social justice becomes more and more a reality. The Government
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