Page 1987 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 6 May 2009
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increased number of development applications anticipated through both the commonwealth government’s stimulus package, particularly in schools and housing, but also in recognition of the need to supplement particular services around, for example, the fast tracking of land release, further commercial and industrial land supply and a range of other areas also in relation to COAG commitments such as those around creating a harmonised national system for occupational licensing.
There are a number of areas of work that the Planning and Land Authority will be heavily engaged in in the next 12 months, such that they have received budget supplementation this year to undertake those pieces of work. I have not heard any particular criticism from industry in relation to these initiatives. In fact, they have been very warmly welcomed, recognising the importance of achieving these particular targets and these particular work goals in the next 12 months.
Mr Speaker, you and others in your party would be aware of the commitments that occurred at COAG last week in relation to moving to six-star assessments and requirements for new buildings. All of this important work has to take place according to a pretty strict time line, and that work is being funded by the government to occur in the next 12 months. There are a number of ongoing initiatives in the Planning and Land Authority’s budget that Mr Doszpot may care to consider when looking at the totality of the budget for the ACT Planning and Land Authority, but again I think it is worth noting, Mr Speaker, that there is very strong industry support for these initiatives.
It would appear that there is a line of questioning that we have seen from the Liberal opposition today. The first question from Mr Seselja was that there should be no job cuts; there cannot be any job cuts. The third question from Mr Coe was that we must have a smaller deficit. The fourth question from Mrs Dunne was that we oppose all price rises. The second question from Mr Smyth was totally irrelevant. And now we get to Mr Doszpot’s question, which seems to be that we need to spend more money.
Five different questions; five entirely different strategies from the Liberal opposition. Once again, they are confused and befuddled. Robin and Robin here sitting at the front do not know what their economic strategy is. The challenge for Mr Seselja tomorrow at 2.30 pm is to outline his alternative strategy for service delivery in this community. If he believes, like Mr Coe, that we need a smaller deficit, let us hear that speech. But if he believes, like Mrs Dunne, that you can never put up a fee or, like Mr Seselja, that there can never, ever be a reduction in the number of public servants, then let us hear that speech.
We will all look forward to what will undoubtedly be a coherent response from Mr Seselja. I am sure he is eagerly awaiting the challenge to rise to the occasion. He has never been able to do it before. We will see whether he can manage it tomorrow.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Doszpot, a supplementary question?
MR DOSZPOT: My supplementary question to the assistant Treasurer is: what is the strategy behind giving ACTPLA millions extra in funding and extra staff, only to rip them out 12 months later?
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