Page 3594 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 13 September 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
the lack of action from the Canberra Liberals meant that local private sector businesses went under, laying off staff and sending us into a downward spiral.
This time around, when the federal Liberals tried the same thing, our local economy stayed strong. Why is that? I will tell you why. It is because an ACT Labor government has been there to lean in, to make local investment, to pick up the slack. The work of this ACT Labor government has meant that not only has a downturn been avoided but our economy has kept growing. For real people out there, that means real jobs: jobs building light rail, jobs upgrading infrastructure, jobs in construction and the supply chain for our urban renewal. It also means that we will get the benefit of that infrastructure for decades to come.
The good fiscal management of Mr Barr has meant our economy can keep strong. The AAA credit rating is one factor that can mean we pay a slightly lower interest rate, meaning we can stretch to do a little bit more. For many Canberrans, that little bit more that we do is what keeps them working, what delivers their kids a top-class vocational education system, and what will see them enjoy brilliant urban infrastructure for decades to come. I commend the motion to the Assembly.
MS STEPHEN-SMITH (Kurrajong—Minister for Community Services and Social Inclusion, Minister for Disability, Children and Youth, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations) (10.50): I am pleased to rise in support of this motion and in particular to speak briefly about the critically important services that a AAA credit rating enables the government to deliver.
As I have said before in this place, and many times during last year’s election campaign, vibrant, sustainable and inclusive cities do not just happen; they are built by governments with a vision for a better future. ACT Labor went to the last election with a plan to keep the Canberra we love but make it even better in a time of significant change. Canberrans endorsed that plan. Canberrans expect that this government will deliver on its promises and do so in a fiscally responsible manner. That is exactly what this latest budget has done, and that is exactly why Standard & Poor’s has confirmed the AAA credit rating yet again.
Canberrans expect their government to invest in support for those who otherwise might be left behind, disadvantaged or simply not as engaged and included as they should be. Those Canberrans deserve high quality, accessible and effective services to be available when they need them. Our community expects and deserves comprehensive services for the disadvantaged. That is why this government spends $203 million a year on social housing services; $187 million a year on mental health, justice health and alcohol and drug programs; $197 million on rehabilitation, aged and community care health services; $25 million on community participation programs; and $15 million a year to fund Legal Aid services and a wide range of concessions programs.
Our community also expects and deserves accessible services for Canberrans with a disability. This government provides hundreds of millions of dollars each year to the NDIS for ongoing disability programs and services. In this budget we have met our
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video