Page 1441 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 6 May 2008
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Our investment in services is unparalleled—services that are important to Canberrans of all ages, in this city for all ages.
Expenditure on health has close to doubled since we came to office. And those dollars have delivered results—there are, for example, 147 more beds.
We have made an unprecedented investment in the public education system. Again, the dollars have delivered. Every public school in the city is receiving capital and IT upgrades. And over the coming years there will be one new school opening every year—schools that will give students and teachers alike the opportunity to reach their intellectual, creative and social potential.
As a Government we have invested heavily to ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community enjoy that same opportunity.
Since coming to office in 2001, the Government has made substantial investments in the Territory’s infrastructure too, with record capital works programs in the past few years. The annual capital works expenditure has increased from around $100 million in 2001 to a record $314 million in 2007-08.
The social indicators are clear. Life expectancy has increased by half a year for males and a full one year for females since we came to office, and remains the highest in the country.
The proportion of people with a post-school qualification has increased by 5 percentage points and remains the highest in the country.
Household disposable income has increased by 47 per cent since 2001 and remains the highest in the country.
The proportion of people on low incomes has decreased by around 3.5 per cent and is the lowest in the country.
And all this, while as a Government we have delivered consecutive surpluses.
All this, while maintaining a cash position that is the envy of our neighbours.
All this, against a background of virtually full employment and a labour force participation rate at close to its record high.
Mr Speaker, these are tremendous outcomes. We as a community are better educated, living longer, and more prosperous. Poverty has decreased, but our compassion has not.
The Budget structure today is different from the one we inherited. It is now sustainable.
The internal stringencies we have demanded of government operations have delivered about $100 million a year in efficiencies, for example—year after year.
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