Page 16 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 22 February 1994
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participation of Aboriginal peoples in decisions that affect them, and to support the maintenance and the development of Aboriginal cultures. The agenda will also aim to address the aspirations of Aboriginal peoples beyond the entitlements created by the High Court's Mabo decision and the Native Title Act 1993.
The Government recognises that strategic planning is needed to enable us to meet the needs of our increasingly aged population. It is in this context that the Government will place a high priority on caring for the aged this year. During 1994 we will closely examine our role in the care of aged people in the ACT. We will investigate issues of concern for older Canberra residents, develop strategies for closing any gaps in the provision of services, and review our policy framework on caring for the aged.
The Government will also continue to improve services for young people. In implementing the objectives of the Australian youth policy, two groups have been identified as priorities in 1994. They are young people with disabilities and young people from non-English-speaking cultures. I shall announce further initiatives in 1994 to implement the Too Hard Basket report on access to services by young people from non-English-speaking cultures. These will include strategies to tackle the issue of racism within schools and to help teachers incorporate a multicultural perspective into senior secondary courses.
While our unemployment rate remains well below the national average, the level of youth unemployment has been of great concern to this Government. In the last budget the Government introduced a number of programs to help the most disadvantaged people in the ACT labour market. For example, the innovative Youth Joblink program provides real jobs for unemployed youth. The ACT Jobskills program provides long-term unemployed people with six months' work experience and training. Madam Speaker, the Government will not rest on its laurels. We will continue to build on our 1993 initiatives to ensure that economic growth provides the jobs necessary for our expanding labour force and to help unemployed people gain access to the jobs that are created. We will again consider the special needs of unemployed young people.
With recovery from the recession gaining strength, the Territory can look forward to a secure future. The Government's acclaimed record of financial responsibility will continue in our policies and decisions in 1994 and over the following difficult years of reducing Commonwealth funding. The ACT has joined the financially strong States of Queensland and New South Wales to be rated AAA - the highest level of financial rating - by the agency Standard and Poor's. This is a totally arm's length assessment by investment advisers of the financial soundness of the Territory, but it is also a reflection of our strong record in financial management and a vote of confidence in the Government's ability to carry out the sometimes painful but necessary adjustments. Madam Speaker, the Canberra Business Council made a point of writing to congratulate the Government on the AAA rating. They have also supported a number of Government initiatives, including development in the North Watson area, which the Opposition has tried to delay.
Despite reduced Commonwealth funding, Madam Speaker, there are good reasons to believe in the Territory's future economic security. A key component in building our future is the tourism sector. The past year has been important for the development of tourism in the ACT and the strengthening of links between the private and public sectors. Our standards of excellence are being recognised
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