Page 83 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 7 December 2004
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and cultural centre. We will look towards Canberra’s centenary in 2013. Even now, work is under way in planning the design of a new Supreme Court.
I am also of the opinion that a new Legislative Assembly would be a fitting 100th birthday present for Canberra, and a new building for this purpose will be designed. We will also build a prison at Hume.
Clearly mine is a government with vision. We are not afraid to look beyond the next election cycle and do what needs to be done to build a stronger community and a stronger economy. That was reflected in the recent Sensis business index, of which my colleague Mr Quinlan spoke earlier today, and it does show that the ACT leads the nation in business confidence.
In its second term, just as in its first, my government will carry out the everyday business of government. We will carry it out always with an eye to the future. We will govern at all times for all Canberrans.
Treasurer and Minister for Economic Development—portfolio responsibilities
Ministerial statement
MR QUINLAN (Molonglo—Treasurer and Minister for Economic Development) (3.46): I ask leave of the Assembly to make a ministerial statement concerning my portfolio responsibilities.
Leave granted.
MR QUINLAN: As this government begins its second term in office, I would like to record my personal gratitude to the people of Canberra for the endorsement that the 2004 election result represents. I owe the electors an apology for harbouring some doubts that some would not sort the wheat from the chaff during the course of the election campaign—and there was chaff in abundance. My fears turned out to be unfounded.
The territory is healthy and has the potential to grow, but its future is not devoid of risk. I will touch upon that later. Nevertheless, our economy remains strong. It is the government’s intention to keep it that way. We are unapologetic regarding the level of analysis and planning that we have carried out.
Contemplate the alternative. If you find it difficult to visualise that alternative, I suggest you think back to the Carnell days of hipshot decisions and the consequent stream of business fiascos. It may be time to commit the Liberals’ past disasters to the dustbin of history. However, there were some eerie parallels in the utterances of the opposition leading up to the 2004 election.
It is instructive to reflect upon the ‘magic pudding’ mentality of the opposition’s major election commitments. Perhaps they might consider overlaying the cheap shot, upbeat one liners with a little analysis and planning of their own, as they now have four years to mount a challenge for the government benches.
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