Page 1717 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 15 May 2019
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I hope the Chief Minister has raised concerns with his colleagues in federal Labor about the negative gearing policy, because it will drive up rents for Canberrans. It is a policy that will hit hardest the poorest in our community because of what it will do to rent. We in the Canberra Liberals will continue to do all we can to support the property sector. We will advocate for this sector and we will fight for what is fair for all the property owners and renters of the ACT. I only wish ACT Labor would do the same.
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality, Minister for Tourism and Special Events and Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment) (3.01): I enjoy the irony of the greatest complainer about motions in this chamber that relate to federal politics bringing forward in this chamber a motion that relates to federal politics, but I will let that one slide because we are a few days before a very significant and defining moment in our nation’s history. I welcome the opportunity to talk about the importance of good economic management at both commonwealth and territory levels.
I move the amendment circulated in my name:
Omit all words after “That”, substitute:
“this Assembly:
(1) notes the importance to the ACT of having a Commonwealth Government that is a good economic manager;
(2) notes that housing affordability is an issue for many Canberrans; and
(3) calls on the ACT Government to work with whomever forms government after the next Federal election to secure the best possible outcomes for all Canberrans.”.
Mr Coe is indeed right to talk about the importance to the ACT of having a commonwealth government that is a good economic manager. And that is exactly why the election of a Shorten Labor government this Saturday is the best outcome for all Canberrans. The choice facing Australians is very clear: Labor’s positive and progressive vision for Australia’s economy and for Canberra and this region or the Liberals’ continuation of unfair and regressive policies that are framed in the rear-vision mirror of Australian politics, Australian economics and Australian history. The starkness between the parties is particularly clear here in the ACT. I mentioned in question time that the difference in election commitments, infrastructure and recurrent funding support between what is offered by the Shorten team and by Scott Morrison is about half a billion dollars. I will come back to this point.
I think it is worth spending some time unpacking some of the details of the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison government’s record on managing the economy. Under the current coalition government Australia’s net debt has more than doubled. Australia’s growth debt has now passed $500 billion. Many cost of living expenses highly influenced by commonwealth government policies have increased significantly. People’s penalty rates have been cut. Budget forecasts for economic growth, household consumption and wages growth have failed to be met in recent years.
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