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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 4 Hansard (23 June) . . Page.. 829 ..

MS CARNELL (continuing):

Mr Speaker, this budget continues the Government's commitment to a dynamic and sustainable economy through the development of a strong and vibrant private sector. To achieve these ends we will invest $4.5m in programs which assist businesses directly, remove obstacles to job creation and growth, and make it easier for firms to get the help that they need. The funding also includes support for the 2000 Olympics football tournament and a new national teams policy. Mr Speaker, funding for the outstanding new future in small business program has been increased to a record $259,000 in this budget. Priority will be given to older unemployed, Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, people from non-English-speaking backgrounds and women who are looking at setting themselves up in business. I can also announce today that, for the first time, the Government will make financial assistance available to those who complete this course and other approved small business planning programs. A loans scheme will be established to help provide start-up capital for graduates, who will then be able to access funds of up to $10,000 each.

Other initiatives that will help to make Canberra the clever business destination include funding to help establish the Australian Electronic Business Network and the development of ACT Business Channel, an operator- and Internet-based information service on business programs. Stage 2 of the business licence information service - to move it onto the Internet - will also be introduced, at a cost of $100,000. As part of our commitment to our industry strategy, the Government will provide $240,000 to develop strategies to support specific industries which offer substantial jobs growth potential. For example, we will further develop our proactive approach to attracting call centres to Canberra - an industry sector projected to grow by 25 per cent a year until well into the next century.

Mr Speaker, this Government has continued to defy the predictions of doubters who said that a high speed train link between Sydney and Canberra could not possibly happen for at least 50 years. Prior to becoming Chief Minister, it was clear to me and, certainly, to everybody else on this side of the chamber that this project was going nowhere under Labor. Like the international airport, a lot was said, Mr Speaker, but absolutely nothing was done. As we know, it was this Government that secured limited international status for Canberra Airport in its first term in office. Mr Speaker, those opposite said that it could not be done. Today, less than two years after I started kicking down doors in the Federal Parliament and in Sydney, we are on the verge of seeing a high speed rail service become a reality. I can advise the Assembly that a decision on the preferred tender for the construction and operation of the train is likely to be made within the next month by the ACT, New South Wales and Federal governments. Mr Speaker, it is an extraordinarily exciting project for Canberra.

Mr Speaker, when I said during the election campaign that I was serious about putting our city on the map as a tourism, business and investment destination, many people told me to put my money where my mouth was. Today this Government has answered those critics, because this budget incorporates the single biggest expansion of tourism marketing dollars since self-government. Over the next three years an extra $6m, including $1.5m in this budget, will be provided to the Canberra Tourism and Events Corporation.

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