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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 5 Hansard (8 May) . . Page.. 1744 ..

MRS CROSS (continuing):

they might, and take the territory back to the dark financial days of the mid-1990s. Credit where credit is due, though.

I am particularly pleased with the government's recognition of the urgent needs of the people of Gungahlin, given that the district is the ACT's fastest growing region. The extension of bus services, for which the government has committed around $750,000 a year for the next four years, is a very positive step. This will allow residents of Amaroo and Yerrabi to enjoy services already offered to the wider ACT community. Hopefully, this initiative will encourage residents to take advantage of the extra services that will be available and leave their cars at home. The provision of outreach services for Gungahlin is a positive step in delivering improved support for mental health patients.

I would also like to express my relief that there has finally been an allocation of $800,000 for the construction of the Parramatta Street extension to Athllon Drive in the Phillip business district. I have been keen for the government to honour its commitment to the Phillip traders, who have seen a marked decline in patronage since the closure of Callam Street into Botany Street.

I would like to thank Minister Corbell in particular for his efforts in keeping his promise to the Phillip business district, and also for his focus and commitment to the Woden area in general, but I urge the government to continue this commitment to the Phillip business district and begin construction urgently. I also look forward to the government's ongoing commitment to Phillip businesses in the next budget. I will continue to lobby for small business in the ACT and will address some of my concerns in this area during estimates.

The government has earmarked over $2 million in the 2003-04 financial year for planning, which includes $470,000 for the implementation of a sustainable transport strategy. While commendable, many of these studies have been done in the past and I am concerned we are just regurgitating much of what has already come before. I hope this money will be spent wisely and I will be keeping a watchful eye out to see how this strategy unfolds and what it entails.

Now to some of my major concerns. The proposed bushfire levy is supposedly designed to benefit the recovery process and return the ACT to its former self by taxing home owners. The government says this will raise $10 million over two years. Mr Speaker, the Canberra community has already donated close to $8 million in cash, on top of the many generous donation of actual goods and services. Why should they be asked to dip into their pockets again? I suggest this will not help the recovery program and could actually have the reverse effect.

Many people are still giving generously. I know of families who are living with friends or relatives while their homes are being rebuilt. There are people who are helping others fix gardens, fences, sheds and so on that were destroyed or affected by the fires. Now the government wants them to hand over even more cash so it can pay for its budget promises. The community will resent this tax, and it is a tax-no government spin doctoring can disguise it as anything else. I, for one, will not be supporting the proposed bushfire levy.

On the issue of help for women, specifically single women, the 2003-04 budget appears to have fallen short. The women's support organisation Toora recommended that the

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