Page 3029 - Week 10 - Thursday, 15 September 1994
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So, in Mr Connolly's own report, the recommendations show that you can save $32.9m if you actually do what his own report says. He says that he is going to implement it. So, this dreadful suggestion of ripping the guts out of the health system is actually Mr Connolly's own plan. It is in the Andersen report. I would suggest to the Labor Government that they actually read their own reports and read what they support before they wax lyrical about rubbish.
MS ELLIS (3.53): Madam Speaker, at the outset I must say that this Government has been a nationally recognised and exemplary example of economic stability and responsible and careful budget management. This is a must for any successful government, and it has been achieved over the last 4½ years by this Government. However, what we must guard against as a government is the temptation to savagely cut the ACT's budget. That would ensure that the ACT community would suffer from the denial of services that it has every right to expect. We have seen the horrendous effect of such radical conservative policies in Victoria recently. I would hate to see such policies developed in Canberra. My point is that, while restraint is vital, savage budget cuts on essential services will ensure that the community suffers.
The Opposition would like to see those who cannot afford to pay high prices for essential services suffer. What other conclusion can we draw? They want to slash the budget. They want to cut public sector spending. In short, they want to destroy our services base so that the areas of social justice - a term often scoffed at by those opposite - and education and health would no longer be supported by the government of the day. I believe that one of the main priorities of every government must be the provision of services. It is the role of government to provide essential services and social justice. However, those opposite would deny the people of the ACT such services. The proof is in the Opposition Leader's own alternative budget statement. In health alone the Opposition Leader has stated that she will take out a total of $36m - I have added it up to $36m - but the Opposition, if, heaven forbid, they ever got control of the ACT Government, would put only $3m back into the health budget. That is the point you are missing, Mrs Carnell. In real terms, the health budget would be slashed by $33m.
Mr De Domenico: Who wrote this?
MS ELLIS: I wrote it. I will say more about the Liberals' health hoax later, Madam Speaker. This Government has effectively and efficiently managed the Territory's budget without reducing services. Despite the size of the budget adjustment task at hand, the Government has ensured that the disadvantaged in the community have not been required to shoulder the burden in the transition to State-type funding levels. This Government is committed to those who have to rely on public services to maintain a decent quality of life.
Madam Speaker, I would like to take a little bit of time to remind the Assembly of some of the social justice programs that our Government is providing this year, which stand in stark contrast to the slash and burn policies that those opposite would implement. The Jobskills program has been increased to provide an additional 55 places this financial year, bringing the total number of places to 140. This is in stark contrast to Mrs Carnell's
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