Page 1418 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 26 September 1989
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The Government recognises that most of the future growth in Canberra's economy will be in the private sector. A robust and diverse private sector will provide increased employment and long-term stability for the ACT. The budget itself contains several proposals to promote economic development, notably the decision to index the payroll tax threshold. The Government has also taken a number of other initiatives to encourage this, with the new planning and leasing proposals, undertaking a review of business regulations, encouraging major developments such as the Civic Square redevelopment and the streamlining of the building approval process.
Before proceeding to some of the specific changes to the initial budget proposals, I would suggest that all members read the budget papers in some detail, but particularly papers No. 2 and No. 7. They set out the many detailed issues to be taken into the ACT budgetary equation and the complex array of Commonwealth-ACT financial issues. Change in any one parameter often impacts on several others, in ways that only become clear with detailed analysis.
Mr Speaker, as foreshadowed in the initial budget statement, the Government, in line with its commitment to open and accessible government, established a budget consultative committee to allow full community involvement in developing the budget. The committee was a peak body with representatives from the Assembly, business sector, unions and the community.
The community response was very pleasing. Over 40 submissions were received and considered by the committee. Hundreds of individual letters were also received. The community was keen to have input into the preparation of the budget and was grateful for the opportunity to have a say.
Members of the committee at the final meeting were unanimous in agreeing that the process had been useful and the concept should be continued. The results of this first ever budget consultation were most pleasing and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who contributed, especially the members of the community who worked so hard and gave freely of their time. I am sure that we have a better budget as a result.
The procedures for future consultation will be reviewed in the near future. With more time available next year, I would hope a start could be made earlier, before the overall budget strategy is decided.
Mr Speaker, in my closing remarks to the budget consultative committee I indicated that I would be reviewing certain areas as a result of community input. We have undertaken such a review and I shall now outline the Government's decisions.
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