Page 3809 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 29 October 2014
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a perverse way that economic statistics measure social outcomes, but that is going to be a factor flowing through our accounts and the economic statistics in the coming years.
I think it is worth concluding on the point that we are alert to the risks posed by the commonwealth contraction. We have been supporting our economy in the short term with significant investments in infrastructure, with this year’s program in particular being one of the largest ever in territory history, and we have longer term plans for growth and economic diversification.
We have spoken at length on this side of the chamber in the last 12 months about our work to support the economy and to support jobs, but I will run through it one more time for those opposite. The 2014-15 territory budget contained numerous initiatives to support our economy, including a four-year $2½ billion infrastructure program and a stimulus package to support the construction sector.
We continue to pursue policies to boost the territory economy’s long-term growth. We continue to implement our business development strategy to grow and diversify the economy. The Chief Minister and I have recently talked in this place about the extensive work being undertaken to promote our city nationally and internationally, and that includes to both debt and equity investors throughout Australia and throughout South-East Asia. We have established the Canberra innovation network to foster innovation and link businesses and entrepreneurs to accelerate innovation and growth. We have launched the first stages of Australia’s most comprehensive and free public wi-fi network, and we have made concerted and ongoing efforts to reduce red tape for business.
Those opposite may seek to ridicule the ideas that have come forward from business itself through the consultation process and through that task force, but I know that the issues that were raised in that group and through the various consultations were issues that were relevant to the Canberra Business Council and the then chamber of commerce before the organisations underwent their merger, and their representatives brought those issues forward.
So it is a little churlish of those opposite to be deriding the efforts of the business community. When asked to identify areas in which they want reform, they identify them, the government responds, and those opposite are still critical. That is really a reflection of just how miserable this lot are. Even when there is significant progress made, the business community are asked for areas they would like to be addressed and we respond, that is still not enough for those opposite.
Well, so be it. We will continue with the task of engaging with Canberra’s business community, engaging with the national and international business community on opportunities to invest in our city. I am confident that the fundamentals of this economy are very strong, that our future as a city is very bright and that we will continue to attract the investment that we need in order to continue growth in our economy, to continue to offer a wide variety of employment opportunities, and this government will always prioritise jobs.
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