Page 2998 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 14 September 1993
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Consistent with the policy of the Government of getting out of rented accommodation and using government owned accommodation, we are proposing an interim move at least to a site at Acton. The whole future of the ACT furniture store is under review at the moment with a view towards implementing a fairly active recycling policy for government owned furniture.
MR KAINE: I have a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Mr Connolly, does this mean that the Government has abandoned its objectives for the Acton Peninsula and is now going to turn it into an industrial site?
MR CONNOLLY: No. That is a good cheap political point, but it is merely a debating point. I was careful in my answer to refer to the interim nature of that. The fact is that we have facilities at Acton which are currently on a care and maintenance warehousing basis. We have used them for the last 12 months - I think, unbeknown to the Opposition, or you would have taken the political point - for the Fire Brigade that was previously housed at Ainslie. It is a temporary purpose only.
MADAM SPEAKER: Order! Mr Connolly, it is three o'clock; so I must interrupt you in line with the motion that was passed earlier in the day.
APPROPRIATION BILL 1993-94
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (3.00): Madam Speaker, I present the Appropriation Bill 1993-94.
Title read by Clerk.
MS FOLLETT: I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
The 1993-94 ACT budget has been framed in the hardest circumstances to face the Territory in the short history of self-government. This year the Territory faces the biggest cut in Commonwealth funding in the history of Commonwealth-State financial relations. The difficulty of the Government's task, and the pace of change forced upon us, are highlighted by the fact that the next largest cut was the one we faced last year.
This budget has been tough work to put together, but the Government has been determined that it will not be too tough on the people of Canberra. Rather, we have been tough on the cost of government and the need to streamline government operations. This Government has made it clear that we will pursue a consistent strategy to deal with the inevitable loss of Commonwealth support. I outlined the basic elements of that strategy in June last year, reiterating them in the last budget, and again in June this year.
We are convinced that, to avoid massive disruption, substantial budget change can occur only over time and with the cooperation and understanding of the whole community. In the last budget, the Government put in place the major initiatives of its 1992 election platform. At the same time, we commenced our strategy of efficiencies in the overall operation of government, together with a careful program of revenue increases and selected savings measures. There should be no major surprises in this year's budget.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .