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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 5 Hansard (1 May) . . Page.. 1312 ..

pruning, grass cutting, weed spraying and removal, footpath repairs and painting of road signs and line markings.

There has been a great deal of controversy about the decision to impose a fee for entry into one of our most successful events: Floriade. The government has listened to the people of Canberra and has decided to remove the Floriade fee. The fee was not wanted, we have certainly heard that. The fee has been abolished permanently.

The government acknowledges that the non-government school sector in the ACT does not receive the same ratio of funding as is provided in New South Wales. We are, however, providing a modest increase in base funding, with $250,000 in 2001-02, rising to $267,000 in 2004-05. The government is also keen to provide the community with an independent resource to assist them to participate more fully in planning issues through the provision of advice on planning. We will establish a Community Planning Adviser based outside of the Department of Urban Services, at a cost of $250,000 a year, to carry out this function.

Whether we like it or not, Canberra is a car city and is likely to remain so for some time to come. In recognition of this fact, the government is continuing to invest in road building programs to ease congestion and improve safety. In addition to previously announced commitments, we will advance major road projects with a capital expenditure of $8.15 million in 2001-2002.

Superannuation

This budget continues the strategy for meeting the ACT's superannuation liability. Some $154 million will be injected into superannuation in 2000-01, and a further $35 million-that is, $35 million above the $50 million already committed in last year's forward estimates-will be injected in 2001-02. Some $200 million will be injected over the budget and forward estimates period, reducing calls on future budgets.

On current plans, it is estimated that there will be sufficient assets in the superannuation fund to cover emerging costs by the year 2019-20. By that time no further budget funding will be required. Our superannuation plan includes a review of the current investment strategy to optimise returns and the appointment of an asset consultant and custodian to oversee investment moneys held.

Conclusion

Mr Speaker, this government has already been accused of irresponsible spending. There is new spending in this budget, that is true. But it is, by any definition of the term, responsible spending. It is careful spending. We are spending no more than we have earned through our careful fiscal management. Unlike Labor, we are not spending on credit; we are not going into debt to funds the things that we have promised in today's budget. We are paying in cash. We have balanced the ACT's budget.

It is not just spending for spending's sake. We are investing in sustaining and building Canberra's future. By putting money into innovation, into reducing poverty and into early intervention we are investing in our people-our greatest asset. I commend this budget to the Assembly.

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