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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 5 Hansard (4 May) . . Page.. 1316 ..

MS CARNELL (continuing):

While the ACT currently has an extremely low unemployment rate, this Government has not reduced its support for Canberrans who are seeking work. While existing employment programs have been maintained, the ACT Public Service is set to increase the number of apprenticeships and traineeships that it will offer in 1999-2000. The budget also provides additional funding of more than $1m for two major business development initiatives. The ACT industry development program will be established at a cost of $250,000. It will provide small businesses with strategic planning consultancy services and advice. A total of $775,000 will be invested in marketing Canberra as a business destination both interstate and internationally.

In cooperation with the National Capital Authority, a new ACT promotion centre is to be constructed at Regatta Point overlooking Lake Burley Griffin. The ACT Government will contribute $1m to the centre, which will showcase our city to business visitors. The Canberra Tourism and Events Corporation will also receive an additional $2m for marketing and promotion, the second instalment of a $6m funding boost over the term of this Government.

This Government is continuing to lead the way in encouraging the development of Canberra as a centre for information and advanced technology. That leadership is in the form of the complete modernisation of our IT infrastructure across every agency and every service. Our aim is to have all major government transactions available online by 2001 and we are well on the way to achieving this. Our modernisation program will not only ensure that our critical systems are Y2K ready by late 1999 but also position the Territory to offer better and faster services to all Canberrans. Mr Speaker, $10m has been allocated for the government-wide upgrading of information technology cabling, along with another $8m for the replacement and upgrading of key systems within the Department of Justice and Community Safety, the Canberra Hospital and the Emergency Services Bureau.

Mr Speaker, this budget provides for the allocation of $300m to help meet the Territory's unfunded superannuation liabilities. The money will come from a capital repayment by ACTEW Corporation. It is a one-off payment allocated fully to the superannuation provision account and will not impact on the overall budget operating result. It replaces the plan announced last year and is consistent with the recommendations of the Assembly's select committee on superannuation. Mr Speaker, this is a second-best option but, in light of the Assembly's decision to reject the sale of ACTEW Corporation, the Government has been left with few alternatives.

From 1 July all new entrants to the ACT Public Service will be able to choose their own superannuation scheme or they will be covered by a default scheme selected by the Government. The government contribution will be consistent with the superannuation guarantee levy of 7 per cent, rising to 9 per cent in 2002. It should also be noted that the results of the latest triennial review of the Territory's superannuation liability should be available in the second half of 1999, which will provide an updated estimate of our emerging costs and liabilities.

Mr Speaker, this Government has significantly improved the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of its operations since coming to office. Over the past three years the size of the ACT Public Service has been reduced by about 10 per cent, or approximately

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