Page 460 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 19 February 2020
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I commend the amendment to the Assembly. It represents the government’s views in relation to a range of new services that we can provide, the range of initiatives that we already have underway and, I think importantly, provides some very practical and tangible examples of how our policies are saving households hundreds and hundreds of dollars each year. Whether you are a motor vehicle owner, a user of energy, the beneficiary of one of the many concessions that apply across a range of ACT government services, if you are looking to buy your first home, if you are a renter from a private landlord and you receive a range of additional benefits associated with your utility use that you did not receive previously, all of these are practical measures that go to support low income households in this territory but, most importantly, support income, what people receive by way of statutory benefits from the commonwealth if they do not have employment. Having a long-term, secure job and having access to penalty rates are important measures that the government also influences. These are things that we should be talking more about.
I note that the Leader of the Opposition has been completely silent on the adequacy of Newstart, completely silent in advocating for workers to be able to access penalty rates. In fact, his party has led the charge to see people’s incomes reduced, and the stated policy of the commonwealth government was to see wage growth reduced. They have certainly achieved that. (Time expired.)
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong) (10.45): In focusing on these issues today, I would particularly like to start by acknowledging that poverty and hardship in Canberra are important issues and ones that we Greens take very seriously. We always have, and we will continue to stand up for people who are struggling in Canberra. That is why, in our time in the Assembly, we have pursued a whole range of policies, legislation and other advocacy to improve the lives of people who are in financial need in the ACT.
Let me give you a couple of examples. Through our parliamentary agreements we have implemented mobile dental services to improve health care for low income Canberrans. We introduced free bus travel for seniors and concession cardholders during the off-peak period. We have introduced and expanded the flexible bus service, primarily for elderly Canberrans. We have created an affordable rental real estate management model through Community Housing Canberra, and co-housing projects through an affordable housing innovation fund.
We have increased the problem gambling assistance fund levy to better support projects and research that help reduce the harms associated with problem gambling in the community. We have introduced a range of energy concessions and the energy efficiency improvement scheme to reduce energy bills for Canberrans. We have developed the Common Ground housing project for people experiencing homelessness, and we established the Street Law service for people experiencing homelessness.
These are just a few examples of real and practical policy changes that the Greens have secured through our parliamentary agreements. There are many more, and there are also many bills and motions that we have moved in this place over the years to support people who are struggling financially.
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