Page 514 - Week 02 - Thursday, 25 February 1993
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I found the economic and employment development section problematic in that it appears to have a different client from the rest of the Government Service. I would like to see an explanation of who the writers of this section see as their clientele, as I and many members of the community would see it as being the community. Any other client base could see this section in conflict with other areas. While the points outlined were credible, there needs to be more explanation of the relevance to 2020. Most of the issues raised, I would think, are on the current agenda, while the study addresses much longer-term planning.
The final section, on financial issues, gets down to the nitty-gritty of how much we are prepared to pay for our quality of life in 2020. As part of the process, I am ambivalent as to whether it takes place with, or as a separate part of, the study. After the discussion of what sort of society we want in the future, there comes the need to look at the revenue base and then to modify, if necessary, our expectations and goals. I feel that it is important that we use this area of study as a cross-reference to each area of consideration and that its deliberations be carried on as a continuous thread through all other areas.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I conclude with just two points. Firstly, as I have stated, the process is clearly set out, and the community will take an active interest in the next step. (Extension of time granted) I hope that its tabling this afternoon will set out what forums will be available to the community and what access the community will have to the people framing the study. It is then that the really hard work will begin, because after the discussion phase we need to be clear on how the views of the community will be synthesised into the final document. The planning process has shown that the community expects to have its views heard. As this exercise is an attempt to formulate a vision for the future, it is imperative that those views be taken into account and given voice in the final report.
Finally, I stated when this first report was tabled that it is important that the Government effectively link the strategic planning exercise with consideration of the Territory Plan. After the formation of the vision, the planning process must be brought into line to serve the vision. The vision must not be distorted to serve the plan.
MR KAINE (Leader of the Opposition) (12.31): I must say that I am amazed that somebody can use that much allotted time, and additional time as well, talking about what was intended to be only the interim, first report. It simply indicates what the Government is hoping to achieve as a result of this study, particularly as the second report, which hopefully will have fairly comprehensive information, is going to be tabled within an hour or two.
I have a couple of comments to make before we break for lunch. The first is that this document highlights a couple of interesting anomalies, or perhaps paradoxes, in the way government - I am not directing this at this Government - goes about its business. Right at this moment the Planning Committee of the Assembly has before it a Territory Plan that took four years to construct under two different governments, and it lacks any strategic thinking. I have said that before and Mr Moore has said it before.
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