Page 2139 - Week 06 - Thursday, 7 May 2009
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the average cost per custody day at the youth justice centre was 11.6 per cent over the 2008-09 estimate.
It is disappointing that the total number of children and young people for whom the chief executive has parental responsibility increased by seven per cent above the budgeted number of 505. We must do all we can to support families so that it does not get to the point whereby the needs of children in vulnerable families are better served by the state.
I would like to associate myself with the comments my colleague Mrs Vicki Dunne will be making shortly about the youth foyer model. This model, as I understand, has worked well in overseas jurisdictions and could offer the ACT a much more effective and efficient model of providing services to youth.
In conclusion, we must remember that the government is here to fulfil a role in offering basic community services. Government is about doing what people want, not people doing what the government wants. This government is tired, and there is still more than three years to run in this term. The Chief Minister’s arrogance has been dealt a blow by minority government. No longer can he treat this place with contempt, and no longer can he take a vote in this place for granted.
As the Leader of the Opposition has said, this is a budget that ignores the times. These are the times to act decisively, not to sit on our hands. What do people say about this budget? Is it economically responsible? No, it is not. Does it do justice to the community sector and not-for-profit organisations? No, it does not. Does it improve the environment for doing business in Canberra? No, it does not. Does it fix our suburbs and improve our urban amenity? No, it does not.
This budget is an ideas-free zone. The government has delayed making decisions to build our future. Instead, we have a budget to build our debt. There are fundamental problems in the ACT budget that have not been addressed. The Treasurer delays the difficult decisions and continues the big government waste rip-off.
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella—Minister for Disability and Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Corrections) (5.37): I will not take very much time at all. I do not need to, because, with respect to the alternative budget proposed by the opposition, there is nothing to talk about. Talk about a policy-free zone! I cannot believe it.
I was going to talk about the opposition’s corrections policy, but there is nothing to talk about there either. I looked it up on the website and there was nothing there. It was a case of “please turn over” on both sides of the page. I am not surprised. In fact—
Mrs Dunne: Point of order, Mr Speaker.
MR HARGREAVES: I heard you in silence without interruption.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Hargreaves, resume your seat, please.
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