Page 1745 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 4 June 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MS PORTER: Minster, what benefits will there be for the wider Canberra community?
MR CORBELL: There will be very significant benefits for the wider Canberra community, Madam Speaker. I have talked about the jobs sphere. Of course, the report released from Ernst & Young, EY, confirms direct and indirect benefits of over 3,500 jobs over the construction period between 2016 and 2019 for this project. That is comparable with the level of employment generated by the Gold Coast project and by the Sydney projects.
I noticed just today that the Premier of New South Wales endorsed work on the development of planning for an extension of their light rail network to Parramatta. So we see other governments recognising the benefits—indeed, other coalition governments recognising the benefits—of investment in this type of transit infrastructure.
But, of course, the benefits are not just about a jobs figure. They are about supporting people in a whole range of occupations. The bulk of these jobs will be local. Many of them will be labouring jobs, construction sector jobs, professional trades jobs, electricians, carpenters, plumbers, bricklayers, labourers—all the types of jobs that we should be welcoming in this city.
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Members!
MR CORBELL: That is a city-wide benefit. There are electricians, plumbers and a whole range of other trades that we need to be engaged in this project. It is an example of how this government’s budget shores up the economy, supports jobs in our economy and delivers the infrastructure our city needs for the future. (Time expired.)
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Coe.
MR COE: Minister, will you guarantee that tracks will be laid in 2016 as promised, or has no final decision been made?
MR CORBELL: The government has made its commitment very clear. That is: tracks in the ground, work commenced in 2016. That is absolutely a commitment that this government has put very clearly on the table. That commitment is important. It is important particularly at a time when there is a need for confidence in our city, when there is a need for job replacement in our city. It is also important when we look at the need to improve transport services in our city. We have a plan for the future of transport delivery in our city. We have a vision for how it can be achieved. We have a commitment—
Members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Mr Coe!
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video