Page 458 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 21 February 2018
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we are already realising in this field. For those who may not see economic value in this initiative, recent figures coming out of the United Kingdom’s own national space industry signal huge economic potential. In the past eight years alone, the UK’s space industry’s economic turnover improved by 132 per cent and grew to add an extra £7.8 billion to the UK economy.
The ACT government understands the value and economic potential of this opportunity and is pursuing it in Canberra. The government is working together with the South Australian government and has signed a new memorandum of understanding to pursue economic opportunities in the space industry. This five-year agreement reflects both jurisdictions’ commitment to support Australia’s participation in the international space industry by bringing together our strengths and capabilities.
Our government will continue to support our strong record of responsible fiscal management. This year we will continue to ensure that we harness the economic opportunities for our city, continue to build on our strengths and make smart investments to support our growing economy.
The numbers are remarkable. We currently have the lowest unemployment rate in the country and the fastest rate of economic growth. We are seeing this growth in a diverse range of industries across our economy. I look forward to supporting our government’s forward-thinking economic agenda this year. I commend Mr Pettersson’s motion to the Assembly.
MS CHEYNE (Ginninderra) (10.45): We heard as recently as yesterday that the federal Liberal government continues to attack Canberra and Canberrans, treating our federal public sector workers in some of our most important departments as chess pieces, not only subjecting them to farcical decentralisation proposals but continuing to take the axe to their jobs. The federal government’s disgraceful actions and utter mismanagement do have an effect and we cannot ignore that. In fact, everyone in this place should condemn them, not least the opposition spokesperson on public sector management, who has so far been conspicuously silent on this issue.
While the federal government’s actions have an effect, that effect has fortunately been lessened over the years, and the ACT economy continues to thrive. Why? Because we are not just a federal public sector town any more. Our economy’s success is no longer tied to the positive or negative actions of the federal government. Thanks to the consistent, progressive, successive actions of ACT Labor governments, we have increasingly diversified our economy. And now we do not just weather federal government decisions, we thrive in spite of them.
We continue to be seen as an attractive place to live and work and invest in, and our economic data reflects this. Our government’s investment in this city and commitment to industry diversification is not abating, contributing to more confidence and more growth in our economy.
Belconnen is a great example of this. More and more people are living, working, studying, and relaxing within the Belconnen region, supporting local businesses and boosting our economy. Take a drive or a walk around my electorate and you will no
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