Page 2503 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 6 August 2013
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
shareholders do not make, determinations on the pricing path independent of the regulator. The regulator makes those determinations. It sets the rules.
It has made its determination, and water and sewerage prices have fallen. One would anticipate, one would have hoped, although it is clear that the Leader of the Opposition does not support this, that Canberra households will be paying less for water and sewerage in the future.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Treasurer, what strategies are you promoting to address the problems as outlined in the ICRC determinations?
MR BARR: The government has a range of reviews underway in relation to ACTEW. Those processes commenced prior to the ICRC’s determination and will report in due course. The government will then respond.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Treasurer, when will you call for a full performance audit of ACTEW by the Auditor-General?
MR BARR: I think the government’s position on these matters is quite clear. We have a series of reviews underway, and the government will be seeing those reviews through to their completion.
Transport—light rail
MR COE: My question is for the Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development. Minister, why has the ACT government chosen to proceed with light rail if the government’s benefit-cost ratio for the project is 2.34 but 4.78 for bus rapid transit?
MR CORBELL: I thank Mr Coe for the question. The answer to that question is that the analysis that underpins the government’s assessment of relative benefit and cost of the two transport modes indicates that while bus rapid transit is an efficient way of delivering improved public transport, in terms of broader, economy-wide benefit and in terms of broader benefit to the way the city grows and develops, light rail is the preferred mode. And that is concluded by the report produced by AECOM, which underpins the government’s submission to Infrastructure Australia.
There are points in time where cities have to make decisions about their best long-term choices. We have to understand what the population growth will be in the corridor. We have to understand how that population growth can be accelerated with the delivery of dedicated right of way through light rail. Those are the types of long-term strategic decisions that this government is prepared to make to ensure that we make the right choice for our city into the future.
Mr Hanson: You said that about the government office building too.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video