Page 1702 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 4 June 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
ACTCOSS concludes by saying that they:
… remain … ready to work with the ACT Government on implementing innovative initiatives outlined in this Budget. We are particularly excited about the Human Services Blueprint, which will see a new way of working with people to ensure that they get access to the right services at the right time.
Additionally, in the Canberra Times this morning Rebecca Vassorotti said that there were good investments into the NDIS and she welcomed the payments for concessions as well. I think that they have also made reference to the federal government only committing to an additional year of funding for homelessness services. We have matched that funding through Minister Rattenbury, but it is a telling difference between the federal Liberal government and the ACT Labor government.
We have the heart and soul of our community at the forefront of our minds and we will do all we can to support them each and every day and through each and every initiative that we deliver.
MS PORTER (Ginninderra) (10.35): I rise to speak on this important motion today as the ACT starts to feel the impact of the federal government’s austerity budget. I thank my colleague Dr Bourke for moving it. As you know, Madam Speaker, the ACT and its regions are facing a very challenging period as a direct result of the commonwealth’s poorly thought out budget cuts. With the commonwealth government playing such a large part in our economy, the decisions they have made will undoubtedly have a considerable direct negative impact on our households, our businesses, our community and our economy.
As Dr Bourke said earlier, in the coming four years, the ACT government will lose $375 million because of these poor decisions by the Abbott government. At the same time, it is estimated that 6,500 Australian public servants will lose their jobs in the four years up to 2016-17. This Labor government will not pursue policies that have been shown to fail and which destroy the very fabric of society. We know that if we cut spending we would only be compounding the pain of the commonwealth cuts and denying our community the services it deserves and expects.
This government’s vision for Canberra has been and will remain that of a vibrant liveable city that continues to grow and change and to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. It will continue to live up to its reputation as Australia’s most liveable city. That is why I am glad to see that the 2014-15 budget continues to support our community and its economy even through this difficult period.
Madam Speaker, this government has made a choice to invest in front-line services and in transformative infrastructure that will facilitate job creation and stimulate economic activity because we know that, even during challenging times, with appropriate support there can be great opportunities for workers and business. What we see in this budget is one of the biggest ever spending programs by the ACT government on infrastructure—$2.5 billion over four years. This is infrastructure that will not only provide important new facilities to the Canberra community but also boost growth through job creation.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video