Page 2722 - Week 07 - Thursday, 3 July 2008
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I mentioned the ABS statistic a moment ago—the lowest level of capital investment as a share of the economy in 2001. What an appalling record for those opposite to leave this city—the lowest level of capital investment as a share of the economy in the history of self-government. Clearly it was a government incapable at the time, as they were, to deliver on improving infrastructure and investment and it has been left to the Australian Labor Party to pick up the appalling legacy that they left and to start making investment in infrastructure that the community expects, whether it is infrastructure in schools, infrastructure in roads, infrastructure in health, infrastructure in the range of government services that this community expects.
It is clear that the previous government’s approach to infrastructure was nothing but ad hoc. They demonstrated no vision, no commitment to the city, no idea about how to support the growth of the city and no commitment to make the hard decisions that were needed to fund desperately needed infrastructure. In contrast, this government’s proven track record in infrastructure delivery and preparedness to invest is second to none and it stands in marked contrast to the appalling track record of the previous government.
Going forward, this government has announced its $1 billion building the future plan for our city. We are committed to ensuring that it is invested to rebuild our hospital system, to further invest in education, to invest further in essential road and transport infrastructure and to create a city that all Canberrans can be proud of. The investments made in this budget complement the services and investment in services the government has made over the past seven years and it is a measure that we will continue to judge ourselves by going forward.
The bottom line is: the comparison is a stark one—illegal overnight loans, poor procurement processes, damning Auditor-General’s reports into the management of infrastructure delivery as against the delivery of a capital works program that is the largest in the territory’s history, being delivered in a way that meets the services and needs of the Canberra community. (Time expired.)
MR SESELJA (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (4.00): It is always difficult to speak after Mr Corbell in a debate because you have got your prepared speech.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mrs Dunne): This is not a debate, Mr Seselja; it is a matter of public importance.
MR SESELJA: Unfortunately, you have got to respond to all the silly things that Mr Corbell has to say. I will briefly do that before I get to my remarks.
Mr Corbell had the hide to talk to us about empty buildings at the airport. He has overseen a situation where, with the ESA headquarters, we are paying $170,000 a month in rent for 20 staff—and he has the hide to tell us about empty buildings. That is his record. The other amazing thing was when Mr Corbell, with a straight face, said, “The prison has been delivered on time and on budget.” On time and on budget! We started with a $110 million project for a 374-bed facility. We are now going to spend $131 million on a 300-bed facility. On that logic, I suppose that if you made it a
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