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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 4 Hansard (8 May) . . Page.. 1155 ..

MR WHITECROSS (continuing):

We need to develop and implement a comprehensive and strategic industry plan. Over her term, Kate Carnell has failed to recognise and pursue this priority. She tried with her so-called strategic plan but failed miserably. All she could produce was Liberal Party ideology masquerading as strategic thinking, and quite rightly the community rejected it. Now, after months of pressure from Labor, she has, in desperation, come up with a summit, a talkfest, in the hope that someone else will come up with the ideas to fill the policy vacuum that has been a hallmark of this Liberal Government. It was not even in her budget. It was a last minute reaction to the pressure she was facing.

In sharp contrast, Labor will commit to developing and implementing a strategic industry plan. Labor's industry plan will incorporate a new direction and focus for the ACT Public Service. Liberal governments have been fixated on the narrow focus of the internal mechanisms of public sector reform. The public sector used to pride itself on its policy research and analysis, its frank and fearless advice and its vision for a better society. Labor will return this focus. Systematic, comprehensive and well-developed industry policy will result.

Labor will ensure there are mechanisms in place to foster links between our highly skilled work force, educational and research institutions, locally based enterprises and industry bodies. The industry plan will identify industries particularly suited to the ACT. They must be value adding, must complement existing industries and must fit in with the overall industry plan. We will be aggressive in our pursuit of such industries. Labor will maintain a watching brief on infant industries. They must not be impeded by government regulation, and assistance will be assessed and provided, when required, to ensure they expand and diversify.

We will not just talk regional development. An industry plan will be developed in consultation with regional representatives. The plan must identify and include strategies to take advantage of regional industries and markets that differ from the ACT. We need to identify new and complementary market opportunities for the ACT. Labor's plan will ensure ACT industries are given a fair go. They will be provided with every opportunity to tender for government contracts. This Government's ad hoc approach to industry will be overturned. Last week Kate Carnell was talking up an IT-led economic recovery. This week it is a cheese factory-led recovery. One day she talks about a regional approach; the next day she is trying to steal a cheese factory from under the noses of our regional neighbours in Bega. From now on, when Carnell visits regional New South Wales to promote cooperation and development, they will have to check her bags at the town limits. While Labor believes new industries and business should be encouraged to locate in Canberra, we would be strategic and sensible. New businesses will have to complement the ACT industry plan.

As part of the industry plan we will provide a firm commitment and new approach to industry assistance. At present it seems that the key criteria for industry assistance are that you should be an interstate company and that you should provide an opportunity for the Chief Minister to cut a ribbon or unveil a plaque. Unlike Kate Carnell, we will not make secret deals. Labor will provide balance in its industry assistance. We will not ignore local businesses. We will provide assistance to build and strengthen our existing job base. We will assist firms to survive and compete. These jobs are here,

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