Page 1873 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 14 June 1994
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APPROPRIATION BILL 1994-95
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (3.00): Madam Speaker, I present the Appropriation Bill 1994-95.
Title read by Clerk.
MS FOLLETT: I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
Madam Speaker, the ACT enters 1994-95 with a future we have every right to feel positive about; a future in which our work force, our youth and our business leaders can have the confidence to plan; a future in which all of our citizens, the disadvantaged and the well-off, can participate; a future that will be fair and a future of which we can be proud. This budget, Madam Speaker, is a sound investment in that future. This budget will cater for and encourage growth - growth in employment, in investment and in the quality of service to the community. This budget protects and helps those who need government assistance. It encourages the private sector. It creates new public assets. It safeguards the environment. There are no new taxes and charges. Madam Speaker, it is a Labor budget through and through.
The policies of this Government and the budgets we have brought down since self-government have delivered a safe passage through a serious national recession and an unprecedented financial adjustment imposed by the Commonwealth. Acclaimed by independent scrutineers, our policies established us as a AAA government. The budget I present today continues the strategy we laid down nearly three years ago, even though the adjustments pressed upon us have been much more severe than was envisaged then. Despite this difficult recent history, this budget is providing for the future by investing in the expansion of the Territory's economic and social infrastructure through the construction of new assets and increased maintenance of existing assets. This will make an important contribution to employment in the construction industry. But most new jobs in the ACT come from the expansion of private industry. The budget provides support to business by stimulating trade and tourism ties overseas, and by avoiding additional cost imposts on firms.
Opportunities to take advantage of the new jobs are extended to all Canberrans, especially our young school leavers, through increased labour market assistance and training places. While economic vitality is essential to a fair community, special measures are also needed for those who face disadvantage. This budget, like previous Labor budgets, delivers important initiatives which will improve the lives of many people in need. This budget, Madam Speaker, ensures that all ACT residents can have confidence to invest in and to share in our future.
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