Page 1917 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 3 June 2015
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households, residents and consumers all have confidence is the best way to encourage growth in an economy. That is exactly what this government have done through our infrastructure program in the past and will do in the future through our support for the private sector, through our investment in front-line services and our investment in productive, long-term and transformational projects for our city.
I would like to touch on a few examples of these this morning, examples that support the economy and support local businesses and that encourage new investment. Infrastructure investment plays a key role in promoting macro-economic stability and growth. Whilst the ACT is unable to control expenditure decisions by the commonwealth government, we are able to ensure that we maintain our own strong level of investment in infrastructure. Transforming our city through major infrastructure projects and capital works generates jobs and stimulates the territory economy. It has certainly helped in the last few years to reduce the impact of the commonwealth budget’s contraction.
Capital investment outlined in the budget yesterday over the coming four years is $2.8 billion. This is a record level of infrastructure investment for the territory. We are making decisions now that set this city up for coming generations to ensure that we take a different path from Sydney, that we do not end up congested and unliveable like that city has become.
We are investing now in the transport infrastructure for the future. Our capital contribution to the capital metro project, funded in part by the sale of ACTTAB, in part by the sale of surplus property and land and in part by a contribution from the Abbott government through the asset recycling initiative, shows that we are taking seriously the task of tackling traffic congestion faced by Canberra residents, particularly those who live in the outer suburbs, over the coming decades.
This 2015-16 ACT budget also delivers $11.75 million in new funding to support the government’s business development strategy, which was very warmly received by the Canberra Business Chamber on its release last week, and again at the budget breakfast this morning. This continues to support the growth of the Canberra economy and the creation of new jobs. Included in this strategy is $6 million invested in programs and initiatives to accelerate business innovation, trade and investment, a big boost to our tourism economy—$4.35 million, $1.4 million of which is to build on the successful first phase of the Brand Canberra project.
The government is also seeking to help local businesses and residents benefit from administrative and technological initiatives to make it easier and quicker to do business with government. I have talked about this a lot in this place, because it is important for the day-to-day operation of Canberra businesses, Canberra event organisers, Canberra community organisations and individuals.
Access Canberra, which brings together seven ACT government agencies to deliver shopfront and regulatory services through a single point, in very practical terms means that local businesses, event organisers, community organisations and individuals spend less time dealing with ACT government agencies and more time on their projects, on their businesses and on the things that they are so passionately undertaking.
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