Page 2412 - Week 08 - Thursday, 6 June 2013
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only multiply. This is something that is often overlooked by those who criticise spending on long-term infrastructure projects—not just that that the up-front investment delivers the benefit of a good service, but that other costs to the community are offset, thereby improving the quality of their lives into the future.
It is because of this long-held perspective of the Greens that I am very pleased to be standing here in this place as at last we see a funding and policy commitment towards light rail in the ACT in our budget. Light rail is a project that, of course, has been championed by the Greens for some time and was solidified in the parliamentary agreement. The budget progresses light rail for Canberra by funding the capital metro and the light rail master plan. This is one project that will deliver long-term benefits and savings to the community, and could well insulate this city from the future risks of both climate change and oil shortages.
Light rail will be a major milestone for Canberra’s public transport and its future development. It will signal a major shift in the way we see our city and how we plan its future. The Greens remain dedicated to this project as a way to help build a convenient, sustainable and vibrant city of the future. It is not just for north Canberra—this is a project that over time will extend across all of Canberra. The light rail master plan is key work to lock in that future network.
An equally important project I am pleased and proud to be here to see funding for is the common ground initiative. While climate change may affect our planning for the future, there are Canberrans who face the challenge of homelessness today. The common ground initiative will provide permanent housing to help homeless and disadvantaged Canberrans achieve stability, and support services to improve the quality of their lives.
It will not be a panacea for all our homelessness issues, but it will provide a real opportunity to end the cycle of homelessness for some people in our community, as well as providing more affordable housing options for low income earners. The delivery of the project would not be possible without the tireless work of the Common Ground Canberra Board, and I would like to thank them all for their patience, good faith and passion.
We are all very aware of our economic reliance on commonwealth government spending. Development of our economy outside the influence of the commonwealth government will ensure we have resilience in times of commonwealth contraction. The Greens have long advocated for a transition to a green economy with increased investment and support towards local businesses involved in sustainable industries. While there have been some opportunities where government could have encouraged this over the past few years, the reality is that we have not yet done enough to maximise those opportunities to build local green businesses.
Nevertheless, there remains much that we can do and we are in a good position to adapt. We have a 40 per cent greenhouse gas reduction target, and an energy efficiency scheme that could drive the development of these green businesses, recycling targets and incentives and mechanisms to encourage improved energy efficiency standards for new buildings.
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