Page 139 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 11 February 2015

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So it is appropriate that the government tells us what taxes, charges, fees or fines they are likely to put up in the coming budget. It is important that people know so that they can start planning and getting ready for what inevitably comes. I note the Chief Minister has now circulated an amendment to look at that, but it is full of the same stuff: “We are focusing on this; we are doing that.” I noticed that, when he became Chief Minister last year, Mr Barr did say he would have to get out from behind the desk and go and talk to the real people. Perhaps he should have been doing that since he first appeared in this place in 2006, and he would have a better understanding of what his policies are doing to households in the ACT, whether it be in Belconnen or Tuggeranong, in the inner south or the inner north, Gungahlin, Woden or Weston.

People are hurting. They are hurting because of the policies of this government. They are certainly hurting because it is a typical Labor government, and they are certainly hurting because there is no certainty on how this government will pay off its growing debt. Indeed, the interest payments that cover that debt are, of course, funds that cannot be expended on delivering services, better quality roads, better management of the environment and all the things that are important to people—health, education, as well as safety and personal security.

What we need from this Treasurer, from this Chief Minister, is not idle words like “renewal”. What we need is some truth about how he is going to fix it. (Time expired.)

MR BARR (Molonglo—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Urban Renewal and Minister for Tourism and Events) (11.41): I move:

Omit all words after “That this Assembly”, substitute:

“(1) notes:

(a) that the 2014-15 ACT Budget was focused on investing in Canberra, notably investing in our economy, investing in our people and investing in jobs;

(b) that the ACT Government has taken a proactive approach to supporting the ACT economy and community in the light of the Commonwealth’s contraction, including meeting the shortfall of $240 million in health funding that was cut by the Federal Government;

(d) that the ACT Government has a measured and responsible path to return the Budget to balance, with the Budget to return to balance in 2016-17;

(e) that the financial position outlined in the 2014-15 Budget Review remains consistent with the 2014-15 Budget;

(f) that the majority of the variation to the Territory’s Headline Net Operating Balance in the 2014-15 Budget Review from the 2014-15 Budget is due to

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