Page 687 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 17 March 2015
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
WildBear, formally Bearcage Productions, has developed strong partnerships with a leading Chinese TV company and is collaborating on the production of documentaries. It is also developing relationships in Singapore with documentary producers and cultural institutions.
Inland Trading has signed a major deal with Singapore Airlines to supply high-end Australian wines for the airline’s business class offerings. Finally, Electro Optics Systems announced in August a joint partnership with Lockheed Martin to provide space tracking services to the international space industry.
Despite the impact of the federal government’s policies on our economy, the ACT government has successfully implemented the business development strategy to minimise this impact. The strategy has built on our strengths and improved growth.
DR BOURKE (Ginninderra) (10.53): The business development strategy discussed by the Chief Minister this morning demonstrates the depth and breadth of Labor’s commitment to business in Canberra. It is about jobs; it is about diversifying our local economy; it is about strengthening Canberra. That is in stark contrast to Liberal policy in this area. I hear about the effects of that policy when I am out doorknocking in my electorate in Belconnen—that is, the Liberal government plan to rip 4,000 workers out of Belconnen, disrupt their families and hit local businesses hard by moving the department of immigration out of the Belconnen town centre.
You know as well as I do, Madam Speaker, that Immigration has been a major employer in Belconnen for over 30 years. Moving Immigration out of Belconnen to put the staff of the new super Department of Immigration and Border Protection all in one place could cost millions. The whole department could be broken up in the next federal reshuffle and the move will have been pointless but will have caused unnecessary harm to small business in my electorate and had a major impact on traffic congestion across Canberra as people have to suddenly travel across town to work. I say the Liberal Party should stop treating the public service as their plaything.
We got some more insight into that Liberal thinking during debate on a motion in this chamber on 11 February when Mr Hanson urged me to go quietly and not to be a passionate advocate for small business in my electorate. He said, “Don’t make them angry. Don’t make those federal Liberals angry.” What are they, Madam Speaker? The Hulk? “Don’t make them angry.” Is this an indicator of sound administration? Is this an indicator of good policy? When does good government start?
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Domestic violence
Ministerial statement
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Attorney-General, Minister for Health, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Capital Metro) (10.56), by leave: I rise this morning to advise members of the Assembly about programs and initiatives in place in the ACT to address and respond to domestic and family violence.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video