Page 2371 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 16 June 2009
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MR. COE: To ask the Minister for Transport—
(1) What is the total cost of green paint purchased by his Department to mark on-road cycle lanes;
(2) What is the distance of green cycle lanes that have been painted?
I do wonder what the critical part of the 2009-10 budget was that brought about this question. I am surprised you did not ask how many coats of green paint were applied, because therein somehow it may make a difference to your calculations.
While the questions on notice process is driven by keeping the government to account, I do not see any process that calls the opposition to account and to explain the urgency of these questions. Why does a question about green paint deserve and require the urgency of response within five days? In a media release on 1 April, Brendan Smyth promised to ensure that the budget was subject to “informed debate” and “detailed scrutiny”. Why then does the section on Treasury provide so little substance?
I find it surprising that, after months of heavy criticism, the Liberals have provided virtually no input relating to the economic recovery of the ACT in this report. The ACT government, this Labor government, does have a strong budget plan and it is committed to restoring the budget to surplus. The budget plan maps this recovery clearly and is outlined in the budget papers. Budget paper 3, Mr Smyth, covers the budget and economic outlook for the forward years, a clear outline of the government’s fiscal strategy, a section that goes to community engagement and implementation, and saving targets required for meeting the goal of a balanced budget by 2015-16.
The government has identified that this is a time to ensure stability—stability of services, stability in confidence and stability in our economy. The prudence of this approach has been supported by numerous economic commentators and key industry representatives. The ACT budget is a measured response to the current circumstance. As well as being measured, the budget is transparent and responsible. It provides a blueprint of our goals and the steps that we will take to achieve them.
It was evident from the line of questioning that the Liberals do not support affordable housing. Nor do they recognise the activities of this government towards the business sector. Just this past week, I was privileged to attend the Canberra Business Point awards night. This night showcased the ACT government working in partnership with Canberra’s growing business sector. For those who missed it, and I think everyone here did, there were five local winners across five categories. I do congratulate the 2009 Canberra Business Point enterprise of the year, Viridis E3 Pty Ltd, who specialise in the delivery of cost-effective, environmentally sustainable development and property consultancy services.
The government is committed to affordable housing through a range of strategies and innovative programs. It is disappointing to see the Liberal Party continue its philosophical opposition to innovative strategies such as land rent. Its continued opposition to this scheme may well deny Canberrans from owning their own home and the associated security that this brings to many in our community.
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