Page 3208 - Week 07 - Thursday, 1 July 2010
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Whilst we cannot ignore those that are marginalised, we certainly cannot forget about the bulk of young people who are struggling to buy a house, who might be struggling to find a job, who might be struggling to drive their car, who might be struggling to get on a bus. Why? In particular about parking and driving, the cost of parking your car in the city is going up and up and up—we are up to $10.50 now per day to park in the city. At the same time, bus fares have gone up yet again.
There is nothing strategic, there is nothing sustainable, about a transport plan that sees an increase in the cost of parking and the cost of catching a bus. It is poor policy. If the government were consistent with their strategy to use price levers to try and encourage people on to buses, surely they would not increase the cost of getting on a bus at the same time as increasing the cost of parking a car. This government is not strategic, this government is not actually delivering, and it is no wonder that this government is not implementing the ACT young people’s plan. I urge the government to look at this document and to make sure it is worth something more than just the paper it is written on.
MS BURCH: (Brindabella—Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services, Minister for Children and Young People, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Women) (11.11): I thank Ms Hunter, Ms Bresnan and Mr Rattenbury for their informative and constructive comments this evening. This budget builds on and strengthens this government’s commitment to improving the lives of our community. I am proud of what this government and the department I represent in this place have achieved. I would like to give you some examples.
In the area of disability services, the ACT government funding for services has increased by 78.6 per cent—that is, we have now reached $74.1 million. This is an increase of two-thirds since this government has come into place.
Mr Coe: Gumnuts five times in a row.
Ms Gallagher: You guys crack yourselves up, don’t you? If only you could sit here and see what you look like.
Mr Smyth: If only you could sit here and see your face.
Ms Gallagher: It is pathetic. You are just a bunch of bullies—nasty bullies.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ms Le Couteur): Excuse me, one minute, Ms Burch. Ms Gallagher, I cannot hear Ms Burch. Members of the opposition, I cannot hear Ms Burch. She deserves to be heard in silence.
Ms Gallagher: She does, which is the point I am trying to make.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER Ms Burch, you have the floor.
MS BURCH: Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. In the area of disability services, the ACT government funding for services has increased by 78.6 per cent to
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