Page 2556 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 23 August 1994
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Madam Speaker, the early presentation of the budget also enable the making of more systematic scrutiny of budget estimates incorporated in the budget documentation and subsequent review of budget performance incorporated in financial statements and annual reports. The Government has previously indicated its support for the proposal to establish a committee to examine and report on 1993-94 agency outcomes. Annual reports and audited financial statements will be provided to the Assembly in September. I am pleased to note that this is earlier than the Commonwealth and State governments will manage. I hope that you are all listening to this. It reflects the Government's commitment to improve the timeliness and relevance of such reporting.
Madam Speaker, turning to the 1994-95 budget itself, I believe that this Government has continued its record of responding to the social concerns of the community while investing in Canberra's future through a responsible approach to financial management. Employment opportunities and social justice in the community are the Government's highest priority, and the budget funds a wide range of programs to achieve these objectives. Through the responsible approach adopted, the budget provides a significant boost for business in the Territory and adds to confidence within the business community. Notwithstanding the broad range of expenditure initiatives, recurrent outlays for 1994-95 are estimated to fall by 2.7 per cent, after allowing for price inflation and population growth.
This year's budget benefits from the responsible budget decisions taken in previous years to restructure and streamline service delivery in the Territory. The ACT has achieved an unequalled budget management record in recent years. Dramatically shifting targets set by the Commonwealth have seen us respond to unprecedented reductions in general purpose funding since self-government. The forward estimates show that we are well on target to complete the adjustment to State-like levels of Commonwealth grants without resort to taxation levels higher than the States' or to high deficits. The ACT's strong financial position means that future budgets can continue to respond to reducing Commonwealth funding and meet social justice objectives while maintaining an environment in which the community can have confidence.
Madam Speaker, I commend to the Assembly the Government's response to the Estimates Committee report on the 1994-95 budget.
Motion (by Mr Berry), by leave, agreed to:
That the debate be adjourned.
Motion (by Mr Berry) agreed to, with the concurrence of an absolute majority:
That so much of standing and temporary orders be suspended as would prevent the resumption of the debate being made an order of the day for consideration as a cognate debate with the executive business order of the day relating to the Appropriation Bill 1994-95.
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