Page 2894 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 16 October 2007
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policies on mental health services? Where are their policies on public transport services? Where are their policies on affordable housing? Where are their policies? The failure of those opposite to provide an effective and responsive opposition is known throughout this community. They have singularly failed to provide an alternative to the government, and they stand condemned for that, Mr Speaker.
The government has a strong and comprehensive program, a program designed to address issues around service delivery, to address issues around health, schools, public hospitals, emergency services, all the key challenges that our city faces. It is worth, of course, highlighting the nature of the confidence in the ACT community and, I have to say, in the ACT economy since this government was elected to office. First of all, this government has taken the initiative on some key issues that face our community. A key one, of course, is attracting skilled people to come and live in Canberra. It was this government that took the initiative to establish the very successful Live in Canberra campaign—
Mr Smyth: How do you judge its success?
MR CORBELL: It is a campaign supported by the private sector, a campaign supported by leading businesses and leading employee organisations in Canberra—
Mr Smyth: What are the outcomes of the campaign, name just a single outcome?
MR SPEAKER: I warn you, Mr Smyth.
MR CORBELL: Mr Speaker, it has proven successful in attracting people to Canberra and raising the profile of Canberra as a place to do business, as a place to live, as a place to get a job, as a place to raise a family. That is a concrete example of the work this government does to raise the profile of Canberra and to encourage people to see Canberra as a place more than just a government town. That is something, of course, which has been criticised by those opposite, but, again, what would they do? Where are their policies? What is their commitment on these issues Speaker? The bottom line is they have none, because they have squandered the last four years squabbling amongst themselves, changing leaders, failing to have any coherent program for the future.
Mr Speaker, of course there is more. The government also continues to focus very strongly on areas around regional development and exports. Our commitment to grow the ACT economy is significant—$1.850 million is being spent to further encourage regional development and international trade development in our city. Through organisations such as the Capital Region Development Board, the ACT Exporters Network, the ACT Export Awards and a range of other initiatives we are supporting local businesses to grow their business and to become exporters for our region. Of course, it is fundamentally important, Mr Speaker, to see the city grow and continue to diversify its economic base. Again, that is the government’s commitment; they are the government’s initiatives; that is the government’s focus and vision for the future. But what are those opposite providing us? What are they putting forward? Where are their policies? What commitment have they demonstrated to addressing these issues? The bottom line is none whatsoever—none whatsoever.
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