Page 630 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 11 February 2009
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MS BURCH: Does the Chief Minister know of any community groups or organisations that do not support the package? How does this affect this investment by the commonwealth into the ACT?
MR STANHOPE: Mr Speaker, it is almost impossible to find critics or community based critics, unless, of course, you regard the Liberal Party as a community based organisation. It is just a rump and probably does not fit the definition in any event.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR STANHOPE: Actually, I think the Liberal Party has just passed 200 members in the ACT. I do not know whether that actually fills the definition of “community organisation” or not.
In fact, there has been broad support throughout the community for the $42 billion stimulus package from not just the business community but also the community sector. The Australian Council of Social Service supports calls for government investment in social infrastructure to create jobs and provide an economic stimulus, recognising the multiplier effects these activities will have through the community.
ACOSS’s Clare Martin says the package will create jobs and additional public housing. Frank Quinlan from Catholic Social Services welcomes the fact that the package targets the most vulnerable. Kasy Chambers of Anglicare Australia calls the package well timed and targeted. Lin Hatfield Dodds from Uniting Care says:
The energy efficient stuff is fantastic. It involves local business, jobs and moves us towards a lower carbon future.
Steve Kyburz, principal of Narrabundah College, says:
This new money from the commonwealth would really be welcomed by us and the community.
Carl Palmer, principal of the Trinity Christian School, says:
The money will assist with a very much needed library upgrade and science laboratory and the maintenance of existing buildings. As a low-fee-paying school Trinity find it very difficult to find the monetary resources needed to develop new buildings as well as maintain existing ones.
This is the package that Zed Seselja and the Liberal Party oppose. I wonder if he has had a discussion yet with the principal of the Trinity Christian School about his opposition. Penny Gilmour from the AEU says:
It’s not just the schools that will benefit from it. It will be the people working to deliver the upgrades. It’s about employment.
It is about jobs. Even the farmers like the package—and I could go on and on—but not the Canberra Liberals. David Crombie from the National Farmers Federation
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