Page 1702 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 15 May 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
clear distinction in the policies of the two major parties, the two potential governments of this country, as they relate to Canberra and the broader Canberra region.
To date the difference in terms of infrastructure and recurrent funding commitments in areas like health, education and transport infrastructure now shows a gap of half a billion dollars between Labor’s commitments and those of the coalition. The coalition appear not to be seriously campaigning in Canberra or, indeed, in Eden-Monaro, because they are not proposing any significant infrastructure investments in this region. The gap now is at half a billion dollars.
Federal Labor will, as has been well publicised, partner with the territory government on a future stage of light rail, committing $200 million towards that project. Federal Labor have also committed to investing an additional $100 million in the Barton Highway duplication, taking that federal Labor investment to $250 million, and have put forward a $67 million commitment to build Dunns Creek Road just on the New South Wales side of the territory border.
There have been a series of commitments from federal Labor inside the territory, including funding for oval upgrades in Kippax, a new netball and indoor sports centre in Tuggeranong, and two bike path upgrades across the city in partnership with the territory government.
The range of financial commitments in terms of infrastructure and health and education funding are also added to by a clear commitment to end the coalition’s disruptive and harmful decentralisation agenda. (Time expired.)
MS CHEYNE: Chief Minister, what will this difference in support mean for Canberra region residents?
MR BARR: This significant infrastructure investment, half a billion dollars of additional investment, will clearly mean more jobs in our economy. It will mean faster commutes for residents in our region, and more time with family and friends. It will mean improved sporting facilities. It will mean better health facilities where and when you need them. This will all be delivered in a close working relationship with the territory government.
Just as importantly, for the first time in many years we would have a federal government that actually respects our city; that thinks that it is more than a bubble and more than an excuse to avoid answering hard political questions by describing them as being “from the Canberra bubble”; that does not take Canberra for granted like some on the other side of politics; and that recognises the importance of this city and this region.
We will work in close partnership with a federal Labor government. It is very clear that there is a stark difference between the announced commitments on the Labor side of politics for this city and this region and what we are not hearing, the absence of any meaningful commitments, from the coalition. Those opposite know that that is absolutely the case.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video