Page 1479 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 4 May 2016

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The amendment omits all words after “That this Assembly”. I draw the attention of all members opposite to clause (g). I draw their attention to the fact that it is simply an omit and change. I thought it was easy for those opposite to understand but clearly I have been proven wrong. Under “notes” there is a new clause (g):

The 2016-17 Commonwealth Budget has imposed increased efficiency dividends on the Australian Public Service …

There are two additional clauses under (2) which call on the government to:

(d) condemn the increased efficiency dividends imposed on the Australian Public Service by the Federal Liberal Government in the 2016-17 Commonwealth Budget; and

(e) continue to support the ACT economy in light of the impact caused by the ongoing cuts to the Australian Public Service.

As anyone in the admin and procedure committee would know, Mr Hinder’s motion was submitted before 12 o’clock, as is the norm. Last night the Australian community got to see for the first time what the federal liberal government has in mind for our society. So extreme were some of the elements in that budget, I felt it necessary and those on this side felt it necessary to bring these amendments to the Assembly.

What we saw last night will affect Canberra public servants and will affect Canberra families. Everyone on that side can dismiss the impact on the Australian public service, the families here, our neighbours. Every time you go to Cooleman Court and park your car or you have a mobile office, a member of the Australian public service will come and talk to you. And when they come and talk to me I will say that you laughed at their job cuts. That is what you are doing. You are laughing and dismissing the impact—

Mr Wall: There are public servants that still have a job.

MS BURCH: Mr Wall says if you are a public servant you still have got a job. Say that to the 11,000 who no longer have a job courtesy of the coalition, and the others who will lose their job courtesy of you.

MADAM SPEAKER: Address the chair, Ms Burch.

MS BURCH: Stop the clock, please, Madam Speaker.

MADAM SPEAKER: I have no intention of stopping the clock. I asked you to address the chair.

MS BURCH: Sorry, Madam Speaker, I thought you asked me to sit in my chair. I do apologise.

The Chief Minister has already pointed out that there were 11,000 positions gained through the Labor government and that the losses have been under the coalition


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