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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 05 Hansard (Friday, 14 May 2004) . . Page.. 2017 ..

In preparing to implement the Assembly motion, the government will be consulting across all agencies with relevant responsibilities and with community stakeholders to ensure the response is comprehensive, effective and timely. I ask members to note the actions being undertaken by the government to implement the permanent cat confinement policies in Forde and Bonner.

Estimates 2003-2004 (No 3)—Select Committee

Report—government response

MR QUINLAN (Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Business and Tourism and Minister for Sport, Racing and Gaming) (8.21): For the information of members, I present the following paper:

Estimates 2003-2004 (No 3)—Select Committee—Appropriation Bill 2003-04 (No 3)—Government response, dated May 2004.

I move:

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

Mr Speaker, I present the government’s response to the report of the Select Committee of Estimates on the inquiry into the Appropriation Bill 2003-04 (No 3). I thank the committee for the work that they have done in examination of this bill, for the preparation of their report and for their support for the majority of the bill.

Mr Speaker, this appropriation bill was very significant both in size and positive impact it will have on the lives of Canberrans. The achievement of joint community and government vision, documented within the Canberra plan and its sub-plans, will receive the necessary kick-start to see Canberra well on the way to a better future.

In addition, the appropriation allows the government to fund wage negotiations that will place the ACT in a highly competitive position for the labour resources within Canberra. This appropriation will provide for fair and reasonable employment conditions and, finally, address the inferior pay offered by the previous government. Mr Speaker, most importantly, many disadvantaged Canberrans will significantly benefit from the additional services provided by the appropriation, including those that are homeless, disabled and our youth.

Turning to the report: I note, with regret, that the committee has recommended not to support the purchase of Phillip oval. Mr Speaker, I was also surprised by the lack of commercial understanding and good-government practice that was displayed by the committee during proceedings and within the report, especially as that relates to commercial negotiations and the use of various funding vehicles available to government. I’ve expanded on these comments in the government’s response. I commend the response to the Assembly.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

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