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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 4 Hansard (8 May) . . Page.. 1157 ..

MR WHITECROSS (continuing):

We would address the needs of young people, but we would also recognise that half the unemployed in Canberra are over the age of 25. A Labor government would commit an additional $5m to real labour market programs and job creation. We would focus on a mix of programs which would address the range of needs of the unemployed in Canberra. This would include a community projects employment program developed in partnership with the community. Projects included in the program would be clearly focused on providing people with real training and real work experience which would develop skills transferable to areas with realistic prospects of long-term employment as the economy picks up.

Our programs would work in with any available Commonwealth programs and would focus on the development, maintenance and enhancement of skills which would equip people for real jobs as the economy improves, as well as ensuring that people have the opportunity to develop effective job search skills. On Tuesday, Mrs Carnell announced a Youth500 program focusing on wage subsidies for employers who employed young people. We would broaden the focus of this program to explore other initiatives to assist young people in their quest for work. This is essential, given the deep cuts by the Federal Liberals to their labour market programs. We do not believe it is right for Mrs Carnell to put all her eggs in the wage subsidy basket.

The Carnell Government has a very poor record on capital works spending. Labor would do things differently. The Government has neglected to use the opportunity that capital works provide to give a boost to the economy. Mrs Carnell has been quietly cutting Canberra's capital works program over the past three years. This year she is spending $28m less than Labor budgeted for in 1994-95. That translates to 420 fewer jobs. This is highly inappropriate in a recessionary climate. The construction industry is the Territory's fifth largest contributor to the ACT economy, and it should be supported. Support for construction also translates into support for other industries and businesses and the opportunity for government to contribute to an optimistic business culture.

Finally, Labor, after consultation with the community, would bring forward some essential capital works projects immediately. This short-term boost to the economy in recession would meet identified social or economic needs of the community. The emphasis is on the timing of expenditure rather than the total long-term commitment. Mrs Carnell promised in her 1995 campaign material that she would ensure that the 13,000 residents of Gungahlin would have a town centre by the end of 1995 at the latest. They are still waiting. It now looks like Mrs Carnell will get to turn the sod just in time for the 1998 election. How convenient! Labor would not have allowed this to occur. Labor in government would have ensured the development of the town centre and that essential services needs were met as a priority.

Labor would commit funds to increasing ACT Housing accommodation where there are demonstrated shortages of suitable stock. There are currently 4,179 people waiting for housing, and there are some 1,035 people waiting to be transferred to more appropriate government accommodation. There is an identified severe shortage of accommodation for aged persons, sole parents and single people across Canberra. If an elderly person needs a one-bedroom unit in Tuggeranong, the average waiting time is 86 months.

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