Page 1423 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 5 June 2007
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ACT Labor is committed to giving Aboriginal Canberrans a louder voice. Today’s budget earmarks $700,000 over four years for the establishment and operation of an elected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander body, which will provide advice and guidance to government on the needs and priorities of the ACT’s indigenous people. The model of the elected body is now being finalised and I and my ministers look forward to the day when we can receive, from the mouths and hearts of local Aboriginal men and women, robust advice on how we as a government are meeting their needs, supporting their aspirations and extending to every indigenous Canberran the opportunity to engage fully in the economic, intellectual, social and cultural life of our community.
Affordable, appropriate housing
Mr Speaker, access to affordable and appropriate housing is one of the government’s highest priorities and one of the most basic entitlements of those living in a prosperous, caring community such as ours.
Earlier this year the government released a comprehensive action plan to help those Canberrans finding it hard to gain access to affordable and appropriate housing, including those pursuing the dream of home ownership, those renting in the private market, those who depend upon public and community housing and those needing emergency accommodation.
Today I announce a commitment worth $9.25 million to support the initiatives in the affordable housing action plan.
That is a massive injection into an area of real priority. Canberrans will soon see the roll-out of a number of strategies, ranging from the release of new house and land packages priced between $200,000 and $300,000, regular in globo land sales and over-the-counter sales of affordable housing blocks.
Community housing will have access to a revolving finance facility of $50 million. Initiatives to increase the number of private rental properties will be pursued with private sector providers and land rental and shared equity schemes will be put in place.
Targeted stamp duty concessions alone will cost an estimated $6 million in forgone revenue over four years.
I also announce today that the government will spend $4.3 million in 2007-08 purchasing more public housing stock to house those most in need.
Mr Speaker, a roof over one’s head is a basic need for each of us, whatever our age, whatever our family size or our financial circumstances. That does not mean we should all aspire to an identical detatched house and garden in the suburbs. What we need is choice. What we need are stepping stones. What we need are options. That is what Labor is determined to create, and today’s budget will help us do it.
Streamlining the public service and its processes
Mr Speaker, last year the government embarked on a significant generational, structural reform of the public service. Our aim was to create an efficient and effective public service that was focused unambiguously on front-line services.
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