Page 1492 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 4 May 2016
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That is disappointing; very disappointing for the cultural institutions that we all recognise in this place are of great local and national significance.
Overall, we will receive some additional funding from the commonwealth for some minor road upgrades but the territory was not the beneficiary of any significant new infrastructure announcements, which was disappointing. I know that the Canberra Business Chamber have expressed that disappointment as well. As I am aware, they, amongst others, were lobbying very hard for a significant fiscal contribution from the commonwealth towards a new national convention centre. That was not forthcoming in this year’s budget.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Hinder.
MR HINDER: Treasurer, why is it important for the ACT government to support the ACT economy in light of the budget last night?
MR BARR: Once again, Madam Speaker, it will fall to this ACT Labor government to provide the support that this economy needs, given the abrogation of responsibility from the federal government for the economic growth of the city of Canberra. Their budget last night was badged to the point of monotony around the three-word slogan of “jobs and growth”, but Canberra got the exact opposite. We did not get jobs—we lost jobs—and we did not get growth. So we will need to do the heavy lifting, once again, as this government has always done to support jobs and to support the diversification of the territory economy.
I am very pleased to be able to advise that the government intends over the next five weeks as we conclude our deliberations on our budget to be able to support hospitals and schools and to support the infrastructure that this city needs, and we will be employing more Canberrans as a result of our budget. I can say that very confidently.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Burch.
MS BURCH: Treasurer, what will be the impact of the federal budget on our national institutions?
MR BARR: It is very significant and disappointing for those national institutions, for the staff who work there and for the staff who will lose their jobs. I had the opportunity to catch up with the board of the National Gallery just last week. We discussed, with some concern shared by all of the board members, the long-term future for institutions like the NGA if they are forced, time and time again, to meet ongoing efficiency dividends. I think it is important that, from here on in, those smaller national institutions are exempted from any further efficiency dividends that the commonwealth government may seek to impose.
I have made that public statement today, and I have called upon the Leader of the Opposition Bill, Shorten, to take the opportunity, in his address-in-reply or before the federal election, to indicate that he would not go ahead with those efficiency dividends. I have identified a funding source for him. He, if elected Prime Minister, will proceed to a full parliamentary vote on the question of marriage equality. He
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