Page 2080 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 21 June 2011
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MS GALLAGHER: I think those costings have been provided to the estimates committee, to my understanding. They were cabinet-in-confidence at that period of time because cabinet was considering them, Mr Hanson. I am more than happy to provide more information and as much information as we can to the people of the ACT to ensure transparency in government decision making, but there are also timing considerations to take into account. That matter was currently before the cabinet in budget deliberations, and that information has now been released.
MR SMYTH: A supplementary, Mr Speaker?
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, how can the people of Canberra believe anything you or your government say in the lead-up to the 2012 election when you were so dishonest in the lead-up to the 2004 and 2008 elections?
MS GALLAGHER: I have never been dishonest to the Canberra community, and I never will.
MR SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth?
MR SMYTH: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, is your promise to let the community know early what you are thinking only applied during non-election years?
MS GALLAGHER: I will have more to say on that during the course of this week and I am sure those opposite are just waiting in anticipation for all that news. But my view—
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Thank you!
MS GALLAGHER: Mr Speaker, the changes that I will announce later this week will come into effect this calendar year.
Housing—investment
MS LE COUTEUR: My question is to the Treasurer and is in regard to ACT government investment in housing. Treasurer, a recent Land and Property Services paper about the government office building notes that investing in property in Canberra is a sound economic proposition. My question is: given that public housing assets are set to increase in value by about $1 billion by 2015, doesn’t investment in public housing specifically make a very good economic case for the government?
MS GALLAGHER: In terms of your question as to whether we invest more in public housing—I think this goes to the earlier question—certainly, Ms Le Couteur, and I have to say that we do not predicate our decisions on expansion of public housing based on whether or not they are good investments for the territory. That really does
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