Page 1650 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 9 May 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
We see this in the health portfolio. There are huge amounts of money going into that portfolio, but we are not necessarily getting value for money. It is one thing to spend money; it is another to get value in return. It is one thing to measure on inputs; it is another to measure on outputs.
Every Canberran pays considerable taxes, fees and charges, and rates. That money should be spent on delivering services that benefit our community. The fact that the Labor-Greens government is not adequately providing services or investing wisely is the real issue. The government brings in huge revenue. Unfortunately, there continues to be a downward trend in the level of services offered by successive Labor-Green governments and declining standards across all portfolios. Health and education are a couple worth looking at. Yes, the ACT government should be investing in our city. But it should invest wisely, have good governance processes and have competent ministers running the show.
Ms Cody mentioned this government is wisely managing our infrastructure. A cursory look at various Auditor-General reports, including stormwater assets and roads, would suggest that there are some pretty major problems. There are also issues that have been identified by Icon Water. Unfortunately, the Labor-Greens government has failed to properly resource territory authorities. It has also failed to empower them to concentrate on the things that really matter. It has failed to follow the principles of good governance and failed to appoint good ministers.
I welcome this opportunity, but I really do wonder what is going to change as a result of this motion. What is the motion actually calling for? In contrast, look at what we have called for in the health portfolio. Look at what we have called for in the previous motion on health: a huge number of documents that would inform legislators in this place. Look at what we have called for with regard to Miss Candice Burch’s motion: tangibles regarding bus services in the evenings. Again, look at what has been called for by Ms Lawder’s motion: tangibles that will provide information to legislators. Mrs Kikkert’s motion, of course, has a huge impact in terms of accessing and screening all detainees. This is all solid, practical stuff that has an impact on Canberrans.
In contrast to that, we have the latest fluff piece which “calls on the government to continue to invest in expanding our core community, social health—
Ms Fitzharris: Absolutely; very important things, I think.
MR COE: Were they not going to do it had we not moved this motion? Had this motion not been put forward, what was going to happen tomorrow? It would have all just ground to a halt. Suddenly nothing would have happened. The territory would have a stockpile of cash and not be spending a buck. That is what would have happened had we not moved this motion today.
I expect we will have 10 speakers in the debate on this motion. They will all speak for 10 or 15 minutes. What will happen as a result? Absolutely no change whatsoever. Next time, Ms Cody, do us all a favour and call on something specific. I am sure that is what your electors would want you to do.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video