Page 876 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 27 February 2013
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In particular, we will ensure that expenditure is restrained, including:
Driving savings and efficiencies in the use of consultants, advertising, travel and printing …
I can remember that when I suggested we make savings in printing, it was pooh-poohed quite soundly by all and sundry on the far side. But there they are taking our advice. One should always look for the savings. The press release refers to “delaying some projects”. What are those projects? It refers to “continuing to review the capital program”. What is the implication of that? And it refers to “further driving efficiency in the ACT public service”.
We know that the Chief Minister did not write off job losses. So the question inherent in what the minister has said here is, “Okay, what are you actually going to do?” We call on the government in paragraph 2(a) to provide details on how they will do these things. The minister has stated in his press release:
In particular, we will ensure that expenditure is restrained, including…
Either they have had this discussion or he should have said, “We will look at it.” But he has not said that. He says:
In particular, we will ensure that expenditure is restrained, including …
Now, he has only listed four dot points; so I would like to know what else is included in this restraint. I think it is important, if the minister is going to put out press releases of this nature, that he detail to people exactly what he intends to do. Of course, there is another paragraph in the government’s plan, and I will read that:
This will involve decisions to ensure our budget position is sustainable for the long-term to continue delivering high quality services, notably in disability services through the NDIS and education through the Gonski reforms, and priority infrastructure projects such as light rail and the new northside hospital.
Potentially, there are tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars worth of expenditure there. We all know, because of the questioning in the annual reports hearing the other day, that there is no price too big for the light rail. Is there a number that will stop this project? No, there is not.
If we are going to have restraint, and that includes delaying some projects, what projects are now going to be jettisoned so that the government can build their dream light rail, for which there will be no tap turned off? The Treasurer has already signalled that it will be built whatever it costs, and therefore by implication whatever the impact to the budget bottom line. Therefore, by implication, we have the warnings from the Auditor-General that the borrowing program has contributed to significant weakening of the long-term financial position.
What sort of responsible Treasurer would say that there is no number they will baulk at to build the light rail? Whatever it costs, whatever it takes, we are going to build it,
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