Page 2073 - Week 07 - Thursday, 16 June 1994
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Mr De Domenico: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I am finding it very difficult to listen to Mrs Carnell because of the constant bleating of that chap over the road.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr De Domenico, I did just call for order. Order!
MRS CARNELL: The cardio-thoracic unit, in its initial stages, will treat 300 patients annually, and it will progressively expand to 500. Independent studies have demonstrated that this unit is a medical and social necessity. The projected cost is $1m per year, although the benefits in terms of higher quality and more timely health care will be very large indeed. The future of Canberra will depend crucially on the amount and quality of private sector investment. Government is no longer the promised land of employment. There is also less job growth in the traditional areas of retail and construction, so new jobs have to be created by new industries and businesses deciding to set up or expand in Canberra.
Business investment means jobs. Accordingly, we are developing a program specifically designed to promote the benefits of Canberra and to encourage businesses to invest in our Territory. The fact is that the ACT is in direct competition with other regions for the investment dollar, so we cannot afford to be shy in going out and convincing businesses to come to Canberra. Our alternative budget strategy therefore allocates an extra $5m per year to a marketing and promotion campaign which combines tourism and economic development. The campaign will promote the ACT as a technology centre, and a regional centre servicing more than 600,000 consumers. We are serious about generating jobs and growth in Canberra.
As a further incentive to do business in the ACT, we will reduce payroll tax by 14 per cent. In the first instance, this will reduce revenue by an estimated $13.4m, but it will - - -
Mr Lamont: You will reduce payroll tax by 14 per cent?
MRS CARNELL: By one percentage point, which is 14 per cent. This will generate employment and growth which, of course, leads to community benefit and, in turn, restored government revenue - something that this Government does not seem to understand. In addition, we will work with agencies such as ACTEW to develop a comprehensive incentive program, including electricity and infrastructure concessions, to encourage business set-up or relocation to Canberra.
Our commitment to improving justice and community safety is reflected in a 2 per cent increase, or about $1m, for the police force in our alternative budget strategy - not a cut of $1.76m, which Labor has made for the coming year. We will also make provision to reintroduce the police road rescue squad and combine it with the STAR force, although this will be offset by savings from the integration of other emergency services in one department. The alternative budget strategy allows for a contribution of $30,000 to build infrastructure at Woden Valley Hospital, North Curtin Emergency Management Group Headquarters and Canberra Airport for a rescue helicopter. Like many items in our budget, this shows up as expenditure, but the benefits, which are outside the budget, are dramatic in quality of life to our community. These benefits are immense.
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