Page 1512 - Week 05 - Friday, 10 May 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Madam Speaker, since self-government we have opened ourselves up to the world. For too long travelling to Canberra from overseas meant flying to almost any other capital city in Australia first. But with the commencement of direct international flights to Canberra, our city changed forever. We are now firmly focused on taking advantage of all of the opportunities available to us, whether they are here at home or abroad. With this more outward looking focus has come a more resilient territory economy.
I can proudly report today that Canberrans are Australia’s greatest exporters. We have seen a significant growth in service exports and our international education sector has doubled in size in recent years. We are home to around 1½ per cent of Australia’s population but we now account for 2½ per cent of Australia’s service exports. Our economy has nearly doubled in size during the self-government period.
Madam Speaker, these are not the only things that matter. When we talk about economic growth, we must not forget to ask the question: why? To what end do we pursue economic growth? Governments in the ACT have always had an eye to the kind of society they want to foster and encourage.
There is so much more to living a good life than what is in your bank account or the value of your home. Quality of life and everything that a quality life entails are also important. That is why we are working to be the first jurisdiction in Australia to publish social wellbeing indicators alongside our annual budget papers.
Madam Speaker, it is not just this city’s successes that have built our identity. Canberrans have a selflessness and a social spirit that have grown from our shared hardships. We have a strong sense of camaraderie and an unfailing willingness to help each other in tough times, through fires, through droughts, through floods and through other natural disasters.
Through our triumphs and our tribulations, I believe that the defining achievement of self-government has been our capacity to unify the community behind the shared passion of Canberra’s future. The ACT Legislative Assembly has been, and always will be, made up of different political parties. But there is more that unifies us than divides us. As long as we never lose sight of that, Canberra will continue to prosper.
Madam Speaker, days such as today provide an important opportunity to take the time to reflect on the events of the past and to look to the future with a sense of optimism and a sense of renewed purpose. We are committed to building on the 30 years of dedicated service and achievement of this place and to guiding this city and our community into a bright and successful future.
In closing this morning, I would like to thank the speakers, ministers and members of the current Assembly and all of those who have contributed in this place over 30 years: past and present members of the Assembly and the advisory bodies that preceded it. I acknowledge the clerks and all of the other Assembly officials who do so much to ensure the smooth operation of this place.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video