Page 2258 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 15 September 1992
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Turning now to private sector support, Madam Speaker, as I have said on many occasions, Labor stands for a strong public sector and for a thriving private sector. One of the key sectors of our local economy that can look to a growing future is tourism. The Tourism Commission has responded magnificently to the restructuring effort demanded by last year's budget and has focused its resources on its prime task of marketing. The commission's operational funding has been maintained this year to enable it to spend over $2m marketing the ACT to visitors. An additional $400,000 is to be spent on the establishment of a Tourism Development Unit to attract and develop new events for Canberra. The unit will work closely with the Cultural Council, the Office of Sport and the Special Events Unit in developing and funding such ventures. The interim casino will be in operation by November this year, creating approximately 400 jobs. Construction will commence on the new casino, creating 280 jobs, and leading to 500 permanent jobs when it is open. It will be a significant boost to our tourist infrastructure.
The Government is negotiating a land development joint venture arrangement this year with the developers of Harcourt Hill - an international recreation, tourist and residential centre in the Gold Creek area. Madam Speaker, $100,000 will be spent on studies for the development of Canberra as a centre for regional and national freight distribution and warehousing, and in this regard we are working closely with the Federal Airport Corporation. During 1992-93 the Government will be pursuing specific projects with both Telecom and Optus. This includes the development of a major facility at Mitchell and the possibility of a televillage, giving further support to Canberra as Australia's communications and computing capital.
The ACT Government is also active in a number of forums with other governments and with business, to promote local economic development. A second business incubator is being funded at Kingston and matching funding is provided for the National Industry Extension Service. A supply and tender agency will be established to provide a publicly accessible record of local suppliers and their products and details of the Government's purchasing plans. There is funding for the planning of an international hotel management school in Canberra which will give momentum to the development of our tourism infrastructure and to the development of ACT vocational education as an export industry. The Government is providing direct financial support to the Canberra Business Council, which has identified the opportunity for a greater degree of locally-based accredited training for public and private sector employees. The Government is also proud to be the co-sponsor of the Small Business Awards in 1992.
I turn to education. Madam Speaker, throughout Australia the education sector is undergoing reform. This reform must meet the challenge of improving the quality of educational outcomes. It must also enhance the vocational relevance of education and training programs. These are complex educational issues and in addressing them we are committed to wide-ranging consultations. At the same time we will also address the very high levels of expenditure in our education system. With reduced Commonwealth funding, current spending levels are simply not sustainable and this budget begins to achieve the necessary savings. We will work together with the staff, students, community and the unions to achieve the efficiencies and restructuring that must take place.
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