Page 1504 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 18 May 1993
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We continue to recognise the importance of developing and maintaining quality infrastructure to encourage private sector development. For example, the Government is looking at ways that the National Exhibition Centre can be better used, particularly by being able to attract a wider range of conventions and sporting events to the ACT. Natex, the National Convention Centre and Bruce Stadium are complementary, offering different facilities and services to different markets. With these excellent centres, and the wide range of other convention and seminar facilities available in the city, Canberra is developing a well-deserved reputation as a world-class convention and events destination.
Madam Speaker, despite the private sector playing an ever increasing role, the fact remains that the Federal Government is still the most significant influence on the ACT's economy. This is true in terms of its macro-economic policies, the growth and location of its work force, and its own capital works program. Earlier this month the foundation stone was laid for the new office complex for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at York Park. This $165m project will result in around 1,500 direct and indirect jobs over the next three years.
One of the central issues that EPACT highlighted is the need for the ACT to take full advantage of the increasing number of contracting-out arrangements being established by the Federal Government. These developments represent the creation of a major market that simply has not existed before, and we need to ensure that as many contracts as possible are picked up by local firms. As part of this, Federal government departments will progressively introduce quality assurance requirements for suppliers of goods from 1 July this year, and for suppliers of services from 1 January 1994. The ACT Business Services Centre is conducting a major campaign to assist ACT businesses to meet the Federal Government's new requirements.
Madam Speaker, this campaign includes public seminars and presentations to industry groups and service organisations, information kits, and a telephone information service conducted through the Business Services Centre. The first of the public seminars was held last Tuesday, with representatives of over 50 Canberra businesses attending. Further seminars will be held on 26 May and 10 June. There are already over 50 bookings for these seminars. We are inviting all ACT companies that have been identified as suppliers to the Federal Government and all ACT companies that have contacted the ACT Supply and Tender Agency to participate. In addition, arrangements have been made to make specific presentations to organisations such as Rotary clubs and to industry associations. The objective of this education campaign is to inform the ACT business community of the Federal Government's requirements and to ensure that the ACT industry is able to take full advantage of these new opportunities.
My statement today has been somewhat lengthy, but the topic is crucial to us all. The ACT Government is committed to further improving what is already a positive business environment. The Government welcomes new business investment which produces employment and exports, which complements the Territory's unique economy and environment and which makes best use of the skills and talents of the people of the ACT. Madam Speaker, the Government recognises that a positive and constructive relationship between the public and private sectors is crucial to our future. We have worked hard to develop that relationship. The results of this Government's policies can be seen in the strong
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