Page 1438 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 28 March 2012
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As much as I think the Prime Minister is putting forward a positive agenda and jurisdictions should sign up, subject to seeing the detail of what is proposed on the 13th, to date at least two have not even signed up to the other sensible reforms. So there is a serious question about what these financial implications will be for the territory government, and they may not be clear by 1 May. Again, there is the question, really, of what information is being sought on that date and what will be possible for Treasury to model.
In relation to financial implications on both institutions, I think, as Dr Bourke indicated in his contribution and I alluded to in mine, the question of the allocation of SAF to the University of Canberra is clearly a significant implication for that institution. But, again, that matter may not be resolved by 1 May.
It will be my agency that will be required to undertake the bulk of this modelling—and I note there is a little confab going on over in the corner here, but I do not think either of them are listening—and what would be useful for the government so as to be able to provide the information—
Mr Smyth: You would be used to people not listening to you, Andrew.
MR BARR: Boom, boom, Mr Smyth. What would be useful for the government would be some sense of the sorts of information required so we can give a sensible response to that on what will be possible, given the shifting environment. I think there is some movement on this. I am getting a nod from Ms Hunter.
So those are my concerns as Treasurer. Clearly, as my agency will have responsibility for undertaking the bulk of the financial modelling that I suspect will be requested, I need some clarity over exactly what is being sought and then I can provide you with a frank answer as to whether that will be possible to be undertaken, given that the time frame between 13 April and 1 May is not significant. I remind members that there is also the other matter of the territory budget that needs to be prepared in this time. We just need to be cognisant of all those factors.
I understand and appreciate the desire for more information, but I think what I have ascertained from the contributions of other members is that what the Prime Minister announced on 19 March further complicates matters and needs to be taken into account. If we were to just plough ahead and ignore all of that, I think we would find ourselves in a difficult position, and people, particularly in the TAFE sector, would rightly ask, “Well, why are you not responding to this agenda that the commonwealth have announced?” which is, frankly, a significant potential new investment in skills in this country.
Some of the important benchmarks that have been set by the commonwealth government in terms of what they are seeking to achieve through this reform package deserve detailed and significant deliberation by jurisdictions. There is a lot at stake. We need to take our time to ensure we are responding to these changed circumstances. The government is of the view that new information has come to us; we will need to assess that and analyse it and we will then have the opportunity for a fulsome debate in this place.
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