Page 1909 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
This is what the Canberra community expects of their Government. This is what we are committed to delivering.
Mr Speaker, our Budget Plan is a strategy to restore a balanced budget by 2015-16.
The strategy is honest and upfront.
The seven-year Plan determines the magnitude of the task, taking into account the current uncertainty, and the eventual recovery.
It has the robustness to be relevant in the face of economic and fiscal circumstances. It incorporates flexibility for adjustments should circumstances change.
Mr Speaker, the Plan sets a goal and a clear path towards that goal.
The Budget provides an unambiguous and transparent indication of the Government’s progress towards that goal.
The savings task over the forward estimates is $51 million in 2010-11, increasing to $102 million in 2011-12, and $153 million in 2012-13. Some of this has been achieved and incorporated in the Budget by way of an internal savings strategy for agencies starting in 2010-11, as well as wage constraint. But further savings will be required.
We are increasing some fees, charges and levies (such as parking fees and penalty payments for traffic infringements and court imposed fines) in order to support key policy outcomes and to keep pace with increases in costs.
The remainder of the savings targets will be identified in future Budgets after extensive conversation and consultations with members of the Assembly, our employees, the business community, the community sector, and interested community members throughout the 2009-10 financial year.
These are challenging times and we are all in this together.
Mr Speaker, with this Budget I can announce that an Expenditure Review and Evaluation Committee, to be chaired by the Under Treasurer and the Chief Executive of the Chief Minister’s Department, will be established. It will report to the Budget Committee of Cabinet with options on savings, efficiencies and resource allocation priorities.
Agencies will also provide implementation plans on their internal savings strategy well before the commencement of the 2010-11 Budget.
The Budget Committee of Cabinet will meet every two months to consider agencies’ budget positions, emerging costs, savings and efficiency plans.
Mr Speaker, through this Budget we are investing in the community:
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .