Page 1136 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 29 May 2007
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economy. It brings the number of extra APS jobs created since the 2002-03 budget to around 20,000.
Unfortunately, the ACT government has not created circumstances in which these new workers can be easily accommodated. Due to such factors as slow land releases by this government and huge imposts on landlords—including land tax, a possible illegal water abstraction charge, and hikes in other rates—we are experiencing a rental crisis. Median house prices rank amongst the highest in Australia.
The federal budget had a number of goodies for the ACT. There is $71.8 million through the Griffin legacy. That will be spent on transforming Constitution Avenue into a four-lane quality landscape by 2010. The budget set aside close on $480,000 for maintenance of the Barton and Federal highways and $602,000 for fixing four yet to be disclosed crash hotspots around Canberra. There is $3 million for planning for the duplication of the Barton Highway between the ACT border and the northern end of the proposed Murrumbateman bypass. Money has already been allocated for the duplication of Lanyon Drive at Hume; that is expected to be spent soon. The federal government is providing an extra $21.2 million for the new National Portrait Gallery to enhance services, exhibitions and educational programs.
Compare that with what the federal Labor party is promising. It has announced that it would slash the budget of the NCA. There is also concern that it has not abandoned its policy of merging cultural institutions such as the portrait gallery.
Changes to the childcare rebate and increased childcare benefits will also benefit families in Canberra. Going to another area, the federal government’s spending on disability services this financial year is a huge $12.8 million. There are increases there for the ACT. There is an extra $500,000 increase from the federal budget which will go to us.
Mention has been made of education. The ANU stands to benefit hugely from the government’s higher education endowment fund. In the federal government budget environment initiatives, the solar panel rebate has been doubled—spend $14,000 and you get $8,000 back. The ACT will also benefit from federal government initiatives which provide eligible first and second-year apprentices with a tax-free payment of $1,000 plus a $500 voucher. All in all, it is an excellent budget for the ACT.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: The discussion is concluded.
Utilities (Energy Industry Levy) Amendment Bill 2007
Debate resumed.
MR STANHOPE (Ginninderra—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Business and Economic Development, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Minister for the Environment, Water and Climate Change, Minister for the Arts) (5.13), in reply: As we all know, energy is essential to maintaining the ACT economy and the quality of lifestyle Canberrans have come to enjoy and expect. Electricity and gas fuel all of our
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