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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 7 Hansard (22 September) . . Page.. 1975 ..

MR HIRD (continuing):

I know that the Minister is aware of the changing demographic patterns in the ACT over the years. The ACT has experienced very high population growth over the past 25 years. The population of the Territory increased from 160,000 in 1972 to over 300,000 in 1997. The population growth rate until 1997 was well above the Australian average of 1.7 per cent per year. During the time of high population growth the increasing population was largely accommodated by greenfield development in areas such as Belconnen, Woden, Weston Creek and Tuggeranong. These residential areas were predominantly established by young families with young children, resulting in a high demand for community facility infrastructure such as schools and preschools. We are now seeing the same being mirrored in Gungahlin.

Canberra's population is not growing at the rate it did in previous times. The current growth forecast of 0.5 per cent, increasing to one per cent in the year 2002, is much lower than the population growth in the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s. The slight increase in growth forecasts to the year 2002 is much lower than the national average. The Government well knows that there is a need for preschools, as the report points out, but is conscious of the change in demographic patterns within the Territory. I commend the report to the house.

Debate (on motion by Mr Stefaniak) adjourned.

ACTS REVISION (TAXATION OF TERRITORY AUTHORITIES) BILL 1998

Debate resumed from 25 June 1998, on motion by Ms Carnell:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

MR QUINLAN (11.00): Mr Speaker, the Opposition has no objection to this particular legislation. The primary purpose of the amendments is to apply competitive principles to a number of Territory-owned corporations. We accept on face value the advice that CTEC, Housing and the Cemeteries Trust are not subject to tax equivalents.

MS CARNELL (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (11.01), in reply: I thank members for their support on this piece of legislation.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.

Bill agreed to.

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