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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 4 Hansard (8 May) . . Page.. 1158 ..

MR WHITECROSS (continuing):

What does this tell us about the Carnell Government's commitment to elderly people and their housing needs? Also, in Tuggeranong there is an 87-month wait for one-bedroom flats most appropriate to single people. So not only has the Government budget not assisted young people to find jobs; it is not assisting them to find housing either. There is a clearly identified need for homes for families. For instance, in Tuggeranong again - the area of Canberra known as Nappy Valley - families have to wait up to 75 months for a four-bedroom home. The need for expenditure on accommodation is obvious. The Government has turned a blind eye. Labor would address this need and create jobs at the same time.

Labor would, as a priority, ensure that a higher standard of accommodation was provided for important community service providers in the Griffin Centre, such as the Community Information Referral Service, Pathways, the Migrant Resource Centre and the ACT Council of Social Service. The Liberal Government has increased their rent, imposed charges for electricity and water, and at the same time pushed large maintenance and utilities costs onto these organisations. When the demand for these services is increasing, they must have appropriate accommodation. Labor would address this need and create jobs at the same time.

This is a sample of the difference Labor will make in the ACT, the difference strategic thinking and leadership will make to our future. The priorities I have outlined today - a strategic industry plan, refocused industry assistance, an extra $5m on labour market programs and an accelerated capital works program - are what our economy needs now. They are responsible and achievable. We will be honest about funding these promises. As indicated earlier, this is not an alternative budget. It would be unrealistic and misleading to do what Mrs Carnell did in 1994. But let me be clear about this: If a modest increase in borrowings were required to fund these priorities, we would do it. These are short-term, countercyclical measures to respond to the Liberal-induced recession. Unlike Kate Carnell, who makes ACTEW borrow for her, we will be up front. Labor's alternative is what Kate Carnell should have announced on Tuesday, but she is too blinkered.

Kate Carnell has been adamant this week that her budget was not an election budget. Make no mistake; it is an election budget. Kate Carnell will be judged at the next election by her actions this week. She may think she has time to buy votes before the next election, but pre-election sweeteners will be useless when all around them Canberrans see their economy deteriorating. Canberrans are no fools. They recognise her hype for what it is. They recognise her role in bringing our economy to a standstill, and they are bitterly disappointed with her more of the same budget. More of the same is not enough. Our economy needs an active response, and her hands-off approach will leave the next generation of Canberrans lagging behind in the economic race. Labor is ready to pick up the pieces. We are committed to the long haul to achieve economic turnaround for all Canberrans. We are committed to returning commonsense and compassionate government to the Territory. Labor has a new direction for the ACT.

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