Page 3240 - Week 10 - Thursday, 16 September 1993
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I could give a litany of the never ending obstacles that are put in the way of business. The increase in taxes will exacerbate the high costs faced by ACT business following previous announcements by the Government in July. As reported in the Canberra Times today, the Transport Workers Union is dictating policy by blaming ACTION management for its inflexibility over budget cuts and is targeting buses taking people to Floriade - an event that is going to bring some benefits to this town, an event that is very important to the tourist industry.
Instead of the Government hounding business out of the Territory through the imposition of further crippling taxes, why does the Government, through its senior public servants, not turn its attention to working alongside the private sector and perhaps even reconsider resurrecting plans for the public sector management board? In this way you could have a combined working party whereby government and private enterprise could work together. Take off your ideological hats and blinkers; take some advice and heed it. It has all been done before in other places.
The private sector could improve ACTION. Contracting out to the private sector will create competition and could improve work practices and staff levels, as has been the case in Melbourne, where private contractors and corporatised sections of Metway assumed responsibility for bus transport through public tender. Rather than auction taxi licences, to improve Canberra's taxi service let the private sector operate minibuses with these licences, with the objective of taking over non-profitable, low usage ACTION bus routes.
The Government could contract out parts of the fire services in areas such as maintenance of hoses and checking of fire alarms. Similarly, certain sections of the Ambulance Service could be contracted out. After you have done that, you can combine the two services to achieve even greater efficiency and rationalisation. Cuts and improvements could be achieved by handing over consumer and safety standards to the private sector for rationalisation and improved efficiency. It works in other places. It is how private enterprise operates. It is how other governments, both here and overseas, operate. Show some real concern. Show how we can work together, how we can all benefit. Show some leadership. That is what true management is all about. This is true cooperation. Listen to the voice of business; listen to the voice of experience. Do not be afraid of learning. It is a mighty rewarding experience.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
MR BERRY (Deputy Chief Minister) (5.30): Madam Speaker, pursuant to standing order 174, I move:
That the Appropriation Bill 1993-94 be referred to the Select Committee on Estimates 1993-94.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
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