Page 2338 - Week 07 - Thursday, 4 August 2016
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has to be affordable for all Canberrans who want to live here. That is why Mr Hanson outlined in his budget reply speech that the Canberra Liberals want to create a better future for all Canberrans, not just for the select few. He said our priorities were to fix the health system, to invest in education, to build our city and to grow our economy. He said, “We will leave no-one behind. That is our underlying principle, and it is possible to do. Because the two differences between a Barr and a Hanson government are rates and light rail.”
This year’s budget shows that $266 million is collected in conveyances, money that Mr Barr plans to put onto household rates each and every year. The Canberra Liberals will not transfer $266 million a year onto Canberra families’ rates. We will keep rates fair and affordable to every Canberra household. Canberra is a great place to live, to work and to study, but it has to be affordable. Under a Canberra Liberal government, it will be.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Tourism and Events and Minister for Urban Renewal) (3.35): Supporting the community will always be my government’s top priority. We will always put health, education and the jobs of Canberrans first. We are proud that over half of this year’s budget, around $2.8 billion, goes to support the health and education systems in Canberra. We are also proud that we are creating jobs and have the lowest unemployment rate in the nation, ensuring that as many people as possible enjoy the dignity and financial security from being in work. Surely the best thing the government can do to support cost-of-living pressures is to ensure that as many people as possible have a job.
We will always make sure that each and every Canberran gets the quality services that they deserve and they expect. We will always ensure that access to these services does not depend on the size of their wallet. As I have noted before, supporting households goes far beyond just a narrow view of fees and charges. These are important, of course, but it is also important to note that all of the revenue raised from fees and charges goes to providing important services for our community, many of which reduce the cost of living for the most disadvantaged people in our community. Equally important is ensuring that our community has jobs, has world-class infrastructure and has services.
There is a bigger world view than that espoused by the previous speaker. Our community consistently ranks health as the most important priority for this government. We know this and we respect this. The $1.6 billion we invested in health—or will be investing in this current year—helps ensure that every Canberran has the opportunity to be as healthy and active as possible and to live in the healthiest and most active community in the country.
However, we recognise that some Canberrans will need access to our health system. Around one in 10 were admitted to hospital in the last year, and most of us have used our health system in some way or another in recent times. A strong and responsive heath system ensures that when people need help the most, they are able to get the services that they need. The budget this year included a $238 million investment in new initiatives for health.
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