Page 5540 - Week 13 - Thursday, 17 November 2011
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MS PORTER: A supplementary.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, what policies does the government have to keep the economy strong and are there are alternatives?
MR BARR: I again state the government’s commitment to innovation and focusing our attention in economic policy on areas that count—areas where we have a comparative advantage. Our business sector is strong on exports and those exports are world class. The government will continue to focus on these areas, including when we release our contemporary industry development strategy next year. We will continue to emphasise our key priority areas of advantage, particularly in government services, education and tourism.
I can inform the Assembly that the government’s strategy will not contain a multitude of individual sectoral development plans, as some have urged. It will not contain a plan to cut 12,000 jobs from the ACT economy, removing almost $1 billion of expenditure immediately and having a devastating impact on Canberra families and businesses. That is an alternative plan put forward by another political party and it is a plan that this government will continue to oppose.
We certainly will not be putting forward a plan to punish Canberra businesses by extending the time the government takes to pay its invoices. The government’s policy is to pay invoices within 30 days. I am very pleased to advise that in around 85 per cent of invoices this is the case and we will continue working to improve this. It is interesting that the policy position put forward by the Leader of the Opposition would in fact have no impact on the budget bottom line, as costed by Treasury, because the costs would be passed on to small business by taking an extra 15 days. So no cost to government but very costly to small businesses who rely on that cash flow. I can say it is not a policy that the government will be adopting.
MR HARGREAVES: Supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Hargreaves.
MR HARGREAVES: Treasurer, will the continued negative comment from those opposite have a detrimental effect on the economy going forward?
MR BARR: Whilst it is seemingly standard practice—
Mrs Dunne: Point of order, Mr Speaker. Can I seek your clarification and ruling on the question that Mr Barr is not responsible for the policies of the Canberra Liberals and the tone of the question was about—
Members interjecting—
Mr Hargreaves: On the point of order, Mr Speaker—
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