Page 769 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 1 May 2007
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Accountability measures had been put in place in this Assembly over the seven or so years of the previous government including such things as the quarterly reports for capital works and quarterly reports on ministerial travel. Where has that gone? That is a good little accountability standard.
I see that, quite properly, every so often the Speaker produces reports by the non-executive. It is a useful tool. What about reports by the executive? It was a good accounting measure introduced by the previous Carnell Liberal government. Might I say in relation to those particular measures of accountability that that is certainly something that we will do should we take over the government in October 2008. They are proper, sensible accounting measures.
The previous Liberal government was able to demonstrate its accountability by, amongst other things, leaving this government with a surplus in the bank. For the last two years of government we had a hard-won surplus, having inherited a deficit of $348 million. Should we win in October 2008, we are going to have to do it all again because this government has squandered that bank account. Basic simple accountability standards have been thrown out the window and we are seeing less and less accountability from this government.
We are going to have to pick up the pieces. Indeed, we will be driven by an action agenda, not one of words and reviews, but one that focuses on actually delivering the priorities of the people of Canberra, not those of an ideological, self-indulging government that goes off on its own little tangents. We will focus on achieving actual efficiencies in government, not fanciful, idiotic misrepresentations. The Chief Minister was bleating about how $100 million has gone to $200 million and accusing Mr Mulcahy of adopting Mr Rudd’s policy! His comments were absolutely bizarre. Maybe he needs a reading course or something just to get it right.
Mr Seselja: I do not think that is going to happen.
MR STEFANIAK: No. We need to focus on proper accountability—open, transparent and accountable government that delivers value and tangible benefits to the people of Canberra. Sadly, that is something that this government in the arrogance of its second term has failed to do and continues to fail to do with ever increasing frequency.
MS PORTER (Ginninderra) (4.58): It is interesting that the opposition has raised this issue as the Treasurer has already said that at no time has the financial accountability of the ACT government been greater than it is right now. No matter which element of financial accountability you look at, the government has a strong record. But the government is not resting on its laurels. It continues to improve accountability and transparency.
The Treasurer has provided an overview of the financial management and accountability framework and the improvements that the government has made over the past few years. For the benefit of members, I will briefly highlight some of the specific improvements that the government has made to the financial framework.
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