Page 750 - Week 02 - Thursday, 10 March 2011
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
for sale or rental in a 1,000 housing unit contract that they made with the government. (Time expired.)
MR SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, do you have a supplementary?
MR SMYTH: I do, Mr Speaker. Chief Minister, why did your government introduce arrangements in land and planning that at best are hindering, if not actively obstructing, the achievements of the government’s priorities?
MR STANHOPE: There is always room for improvement. We acknowledge and we recognise that. It was, of course, one of the reasons why the Hawke review was commissioned—to ensure that we do have the capacity to meet the enormous demand that has been generated in the ACT for housing as a result of the current success of the ACT economy.
Underlying, of course, this enormous demand and the pressure that is on affordability of housing in the ACT is the fact that the ACT currently enjoys the strongest economy in Australia, something that we have not enjoyed for decades. We have over the last 18 months had the strongest growing economy in Australia with above national average population growth—
Mr Seselja interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Mr Seselja!
MR STANHOPE: highest state final demand, lowest unemployment, highest participation rate—
Mr Seselja interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Mr Seselja, you are now warned for interjecting as well.
MR STANHOPE: highest level of overseas migration into the territory on a pro rata basis. These are some of the indicators of the strength of this economy: lowest unemployment by far, highest state final demand, highest levels of growth, highest retail trade, highest participation rate, highest housing finances in the nation, highest housing starts in the nation, highest levels of overseas migration on a pro rata basis into the jurisdiction. This is driving demand enormously.
It is a question of supply and demand. Demand has never been stronger as a result of the strength and success of this economy. So one of the instances of that success—the strength of this economy—is, of course, the unprecedented levels of demand for housing. Our population growth is higher than it has been for over 20 years. Our housing levels and starts are higher than they have ever been. Construction in the ACT is higher than it has ever been. We in this last year exceeded our previous highest ever record year in relation to construction activity. That was the year, of course, that the new parliament house was constructed.
We have an enormously strong economy. We are releasing 5,000 units of housing over this year, 17,000 over the next four years and we are doing everything in our
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video