Page 3474 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 25 November 1992
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has inherited. I personally would be prepared to forgive some latitude on the part of the present ACT Government if it were to discard a policy here or there if it were at the same time to be dealing decisively and directly with the Territory's problems, but I do not see that.
I do not see a government that is committed to change in the sense of making things better for the Territory, building a stronger base for the Territory's economy and, in particular, building a stronger private sector for the growth of jobs into the future. I do not believe that job growth can happen unless we do more than pay lip-service to job growth. There has to be a sustained injection of confidence and security to the private sector in the Territory to make it believe and achieve the level of growth that will provide real security to our young people and not offer the spectacle of one in three young people at that age level being unemployed.
Madam Speaker, the Government has outlined a number of programs which it hopes will create jobs. I do not have the confidence that the programs the Government has specifically announced, for the most part, will create those jobs. I think initiatives like the Youth Conservation Corps, the new enterprise incentive scheme, the employment and training grants program, Jobskills and all those sorts of things obviously can contribute something to the overall morale of those that enjoy the benefits of those programs, but at the end of the day they are no substitute for real and permanent jobs in the private sector. That is where the Territory's future in job growth lies.
Madam Speaker, I see no vision on the part of this Government to make that happen. I see no indication of its determination to force that level of change in the Territory at the earliest opportunity. This was the budget to make those sorts of things happen. This was their best window of opportunity. Next year it will be harder because the Government will be that much tireder, that much closer to the next election and that much more hemmed in by the problems of reducing grants from the Commonwealth; and the year after it will be impossible because it will be only a matter of months before the next election. So, this is our window of opportunity, and sadly it is closing rapidly without any opportunity being taken. Our fingernails are well and truly hurting from the slam that we have had come down upon them.
Madam Speaker, I think this amendment by Mr Kaine is an appropriate way of indicating to this Government the Assembly's concern that we expect more and that if it takes stronger action it will get the support it needs. If it sits on its hands and does nothing it will get today the condemnation of the ACT Opposition, but tomorrow or in 1995 the condemnation of the people of the Australian Capital Territory.
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (4.54): Madam Speaker, Mr Kaine, in moving his amendment, indicated very strongly that he was doing so pro forma; in other words, that he was not serious in his intent. I believe that the speakers from the Liberal Party have spoken pro forma, from purely symbolic intentions. What they have said is what they have always said.
Madam Speaker, I think that what has stung the Liberals is the fact that this Government has performed extremely well on the economic front and they cannot face that. They really find it difficult to accept that fact. Madam Speaker, it is a matter of public record that the recurrent budget in the ACT has been balanced.
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