Page 1589 - Week 04 - Thursday, 7 April 2011
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an ACT budget. It is not what the record will show in time, when historians go back and have a look at these issues with impartiality.
I would also note that it appears that it is at this time of year that we get this belated concern around the economy and the budget from those opposite. I had a quick look back because when I saw this MPI I thought, “I’ve seen this MPI before.” And I have. In fact, I have seen versions of it in April 2008, April 2009 and I think in March 2010. It seems that the March-April sittings are the only sittings when the Liberals try and position themselves, just prior to the commonwealth budget and the ACT budget, as the only people who can manage finances.
I would ask, as Mr Hanson’s address went to raising issues of concern about the “perfect storm”, I think he called it: what have the opposition done, if they can see this impending storm on the horizon, to advocate for the needs and interests of Canberrans? Have they been up to see the federal Treasurer? Have they been lobbying Gary Humphries? Have they been to see Senator Lundy? Have they been talking about the importance of the commonwealth maintaining their spend in the ACT? Have they done anything? Have they provided a submission? Have they provided a submission to the ACT budget? No, not to my knowledge—nothing.
You come in here in April, as the final touches are being put on the commonwealth and the ACT government budgets, and now you are all concerned that there is a perfect storm coming. I have been talking about concerns with the commonwealth budget spend for the last two years. I have been up there having meetings with them. In fact, today—at every opportunity—I have met with the federal Treasurer, saying: “If you are making decisions that are going to impact on Canberra, please think of us. You are the most significant spender in this territory. Any decision you take will disproportionately affect the people that I represent.” And that you represent.
The Chief Minister has been up. He has met with Penny Wong. He has met with the Prime Minister. He has met with the Treasurer. We both met with the Treasurer in December. I have since met with the Treasurer twice this year to talk about it. What have you done about Majura Parkway, the infrastructure needs? What have you done? You come in here, you blame and you try to point the finger, but everyone here represents their community. Everybody in this place represents the local ACT community and it would not hurt sometimes to have the support of everybody in this place working together to advocate in the interests of the ACT. The Majura Parkway is a classic example of where that kind of tripartisan approach could assist residents of the ACT.
I think that this budget, from the sounds I have heard from the commonwealth—and decisions are yet to be taken—is going to be a tough one. I do not think there is any doubt about that. And our budget is proving to be a very difficult budget to frame. We are trying to be very conscious of the cost-of-living pressures on families, particularly disadvantaged families. We are trying to be conscious of the fact that the tax review is having a look at our revenue lines. But we are also mindful of the fact that, in almost every major area of government service delivery, the demands for continued growth grow every year. So it will come to a position where we do need an honest discussion about how we are going to pay for all of the services that we need in order to keep the ACT delivering at the level that we currently do and not increase our revenue base.
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