Page 1789 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 2 May 2012
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Mr Assistant Speaker, I think you would agree this motion is of the utmost importance for the ACT. An economy that is performing strongly is essential to the wellbeing—financially, socially and environmentally—of our community. There is no doubt that the economic fundamentals of the ACT are sound. We have the country’s lowest unemployment rate, healthy business formation rates, solid export growth, an AAA credit rating and strong population growth. We have a vibrant and well-educated community and a dynamic and well-connected private sector. And although the federal government is contracting spending somewhat, the commonwealth remains a significant driver of the ACT economy and, indeed, a significant purchaser of the products and services of our private sector economy.
The ACT government is a strong and active supporter of the private sector. Across three terms of government we have worked collaboratively with the private sector and its peak organisations to support business development and build the capabilities for future growth. We are seeing a wealth of evidence that this approach is working in the stories of achievement of Canberra businesses—companies like Aspen Medical, Winlab Systems, the centre for customs and excise, QuintessenceLabs, Stratsec, Australian Scientific Instruments, Sentinel, CEA Technologies, Kord Defence, Smartward, ePASA, Automap, Intelledox, and so the list goes on.
Unlike those opposite, who will take any and every chance to talk down Canberra and denigrate this great city, Labor will continue to support our burgeoning businesses. Each time those opposite talk down Canberra for nothing more than to score cheap political points, they harm confidence and they harm our economy. This harm to our economy is choking off the willingness and confidence of firms and households to spend, invest and hire.
Talk is, of course, cheap. What counts more is action. What is conspicuous is the lack of action from those opposite on anything resembling a policy to support our business community. Labor, on the other hand, is actually getting on with the job, which is why my colleague Mr Barr issued the business development strategy earlier this week.
The Labor government believes in working closely with the private sector to chart new directions and explore new opportunities. Programs like Canberra BusinessPoint, the Lighthouse innovation and commercialisation centre, ANU Connect Adventures, the Canberra Business Development Fund, ScreenACT, InnovationConnect and TradeConnect are all based on a partnership model of support and development. We are open to embracing new ideas. We believe in market-based initiatives and supporting our innovators and entrepreneurs who create the firms and technology of tomorrow.
This strategy covers a range of linked initiatives that will support the growth of our private sector, grow our economy and create jobs. The strategy lays these initiatives out under three policy themes: creating the right business environment, supporting business investment and accelerating business innovation. Running a business is not easy. Anyone that has been involved will tell you that. I have had family experience in this, and this government recognises that fact. So to make doing business easier, we will lower taxes, cut red tape, make it simpler and quicker to deal with government and regulations and provide advice and mentoring for businesses who need it.
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