Page 557 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 22 February 2012
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Ms Hunter’s comments raise a number of questions in my mind. First, is she saying that some form of analysis of the impact of the annual budget would be inappropriate? I hope that is not what she is saying. That seems to be what she is saying. Second, is she saying that it is, or should be, possible to make this type of analysis? Again, I think that is what she is saying. So this is a good thing. Further, is she saying that only one segment of our community—that is, those who are in poverty—will benefit from such an analysis? Again, I think that is what she is saying, and that is a good thing. But if they benefit then why can’t all?
From those quotes it can be seen that Ms Hunter seems to be broadly agreeing with the notion of such a statement, albeit with a focus on a specific group in our community. I am surprised to see that she is limiting any analysis of the cost of living effects of the annual budget to those who are in poverty. That is a very important group and they should of course be very much aware of what the budget will do to them, but I think all people need to know, particularly if we take a standard measure of those living below the poverty line or those living below average weekly earnings. There are many who are, for instance, asset rich but cash poor, particularly self-funded superannuants who have found the travails of the market somewhat difficult, or those who live just above the poverty line and miss out on government concessions. So I think there is value in doing the analysis on all groups, and, as Ms Hunter seems to be broadly agreeing with the notion of such a statement, it is perhaps time that we do it.
Her statement provides the unanswered question of how people are defined as being in poverty. Moreover, why should only those who are in poverty be the recipients of such an analysis? As I have said, we are well aware that there are many people in our community who may not be in what is defined as poverty but who nevertheless are struggling to make ends meet.
The intention of my amendment to the Financial Management Act is to ensure that all people in our community, irrespective of their situation, will benefit from a cost of living analysis. We are all part of our community. There is no reason why we all cannot benefit from information prepared by our government. Indeed, I find it strange that the Greens are so selective about who should benefit from information available from our government.
In the same debate, the now Chief Minister and former Treasurer, Ms Gallagher, spoke about all sorts of things. She actually did not comment on the merits of having a cost of living statement. She did acknowledge that the government do consider the effects of budgetary proposals on the community. She said:
… every time we—
the government—
consider a new budget initiative, we weigh that up and consider that in the context of what people can afford …
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