Page 752 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 17 March 2015
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It is important that the ACT government maintains high standards of health, safety and probity for everyone in our community. However, we must also enable businesses and community groups to do great things in our city. This Labor government is dedicated to ensuring that Canberra maintains a vibrant private sector with thriving small, medium and large businesses.
These have been tough times, especially with the uncertainty created by the very unpredictable federal Liberals. We have put in place a range of business support mechanisms. Streamlining and simplifying regulatory approvals and having a one-stop shop process are one of our latest measures. It is a sensible, practical move so that businesses can spend more time doing business and less time seeking permission to do business. If there is a better way of meeting compliance regimes, business should be able to get answers quickly and understand what needs to be done to solve issues.
We want to build on the underlying strength of the ACT economy with the benefits of a business-friendly government, a responsive government and a government in a small jurisdiction in touch with the needs of our stakeholders, the community and private enterprise.
We know that Canberra’s economy will enjoy long-term growth, despite some in the very surprising federal Liberal government saying one thing and doing another, chopping and changing direction constantly. The 2014 federal budget of the federal Treasurer, Joe Hockey, came as a shock to all. Like a magician, he thought he was pulling a rabbit from a hat, but it turned out to be a dead duck. It knocked Canberra business confidence back on its heels.
Thankfully, we are building on our underlying strengths, despite the federal government. We do not know where the next federal Liberal budget will take us. I suspect they do not know either, but we have a better idea of their form. I hope they have already done their worst to us here in Canberra.
The ACT Labor government is getting on with managing the Canberra economy for the benefit of the Canberra community in the long term, and we are doing the best we can to weather the obstacles the federal government puts in our way. We are looking to the long-term future of the city, despite the economic uncertainty, through investing in our people, our economy, local jobs and our city. This government, this ACT Labor government, will steer the territory to see the emergence of a stronger, more diverse economy supporting our community.
There are positive signs. The ACT economy is now stronger, more diverse and more resilient compared to 1996, the last time the federal Liberals took an axe to our town. We look forward to growth in the medium to long term, after the current pause, as individuals and businesses take stock and wait to see what further surprises the federal Liberals have in store.
As I mentioned this morning, there is an additional storm cloud on the horizon for small and medium businesses in my electorate around the Belconnen town centre. The federal Liberals are threatening an ill-thought-out proposal to rip the immigration
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