Page 1373 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 24 March 2010
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as I said yesterday, it will be an improved outcome on last year’s capital spend, which is very pleasing.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, a supplementary?
MR SMYTH: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, will the government’s decision to delay some projects contribute to an underspend in 2009-10, and what will be the quantum of that contribution to the underspend?
MS GALLAGHER: Yes, we have revised the capital program, as Mr Smyth would be aware, in the budget update, where the existing capital program went from $782 million down to $676 million. We have reprofiled $105 million over the next couple of financial years. That does not necessarily mean delay. I should clarify that it does not necessarily mean delay; it is just a better estimation of when the cash will go out the door. We provided that in the budget update, and if there are any further changes to this year’s program they will be provided in the budget.
MR SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Le Couteur?
MS LE COUTEUR: Mr Seselja’s original question talked about the building the education revolution. What impact will there be on construction employment in the ACT when that comes to its inevitable end, which I believe is around the end of the year, from what Mr Barr said last week?
MS GALLAGHER: There is plenty of work around, Ms Le Couteur. That is the short answer to that question. Indeed, of our existing capital program, the building the education revolution is only a small component. One of the challenges for government, I think, as we move through the next financial year is how we maintain our support for economic growth in the private sector. We largely do that through our capital works program. That is what industry is saying to us, and that is why they asked us to look at reprofiling some of our work to make sure that, when some of the time-critical work is complete, there are still capital projects to roll out over the next few years. Certainly, with the infrastructure plans that are being put together across agencies, there is going to be no shortage of capital works across the ACT government, but it is a challenge for us to maintain the level of program that we had last year and this year.
Visitor
MR SPEAKER: Members, before we proceed, I would like to acknowledge the presence of a former member of the Assembly, Mr Michael Moore, in the gallery today. I welcome Mr Moore back to the Assembly.
Members: Hear, hear!
Questions without notice
Bimberi—Aboriginal liaison officer
MS HUNTER: My question is to the Minister for Children and Young People and it is about Indigenous young people in Bimberi. Concerns were raised with me this week on behalf of the Indigenous elected body regarding the official establishment of
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