Page 3981 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 23 November 1993
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PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE -
STANDING COMMITTEE
Report on 1993-94 New Capital Works Program - Government Response
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (5.46): For the information of members, I present the Government's response to the report by the Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Infrastructure on the 1993-94 new capital works program. I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
Mr Moore: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. You said, "I believe that it is the wish of the Assembly to continue". I draw your attention to the fact that it is not the wish of the Assembly to continue.
MADAM SPEAKER: There was one voice that said no, so Ms Follett can proceed. We need only one voice; it is like leave. Please proceed, Ms Follett.
MS FOLLETT: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to respond on behalf of the Government to the report by the Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Infrastructure on the new capital works program for 1993-94. On behalf of the Government, I thank the committee for its report. The report provides an important opportunity for the Government to listen to the concerns expressed by the committee, industry and community groups.
The 1993-94 capital works program was referred to the Assembly's standing committee on 20 May 1993 for inquiry and report by 24 August 1993. The report covers issues of significant importance to the ACT community, ranging from the impact of the capital works program on the local economy to improved preparation and justification of projects. The committee has established a foundation for improved quality and accountability in the capital works program. In all, the committee has made 18 recommendations. I do not intend to speak on each recommendation but will address the most significant issues which arise from them.
The committee requested that it be provided with an assessment of the total size of the ACT Government capital works program, including ACTEW and the ACT Housing Trust, against the overall level of economic activity in the ACT. The Government considers the capital works program, including ACTEW and the ACT Housing Trust, in the context of the overall level of economic activity in the ACT, levels of future expenditure implied by the forward estimates, and issues of affordability. The Government supports earlier provision of economic information to the committee. This will include a summary statement of the significance of the Government's capital works program for overall activity in the ACT in the forthcoming year. It will also include a summary of capital works expenditure over the past few years, to enable an assessment of trends.
As recommended by the committee, the Government will provide a status report on all projects carried over in the construction program from the previous year. In addition, the Government will also provide a status report on projects in the forward design program of the previous year. The committee identified a need to improve the preparation and justification of projects. Among the initiatives recommended by the committee were the implementation of value management and a process within the administration to assist the critical examination of
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