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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 3 Hansard (9 April) . . Page.. 796 ..

MRS LITTLEWOOD (continuing):

It does seem contrary to section 59 of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act, which states:

The Commonwealth shall conduct its financial relations with the Territory so as to ensure that the Territory is treated on the same basis as the States and the Northern Territory, while having regard to the special circumstances arising from the existence of the national capital and the seat of government of the Commonwealth in the Territory.

Given the actions of the Federal Parliament towards us, I am very pleased that section 59 did not say that we were going to be cut loose and left to our own resources. As I mentioned, this city was developed along Rolls-Royce lines but we have been funded for a Morris Minor - hung out to dry. Brendan Nicholson in the Canberra Times - - -

Mr Berry: No; that was Mr Flutter.

MRS LITTLEWOOD: Mr Flutter can look after himself, I think, Mr Berry. He seems to be doing pretty well with you on his case.

Brendan Nicholson wrote an article for the Canberra Times on Saturday, and I would like to quote some of it:

... the Commonwealth underestimated considerably the demand for welfare services with the lack of private-sector welfare organisations creating a greater demand for public funding.

... ... ...

ACT public housing costs were high because the Commonwealth left the ACT with a legacy of aged and poorly maintained homes. At self-government, there was a backlog of maintenance of $15.1m.

... ... ...

The use of Canberra's hospitals by non-residents was a prime example. Twenty-one per cent of bed days were taken by non-residents.

... ... ...

The result was a dispersed city well endowed with open space and public services. The neighbourhood school policy, for instance, resulted in an over-provision of about 13,000 school and pre-school places.

... ... ...

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