Page 218 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 26 February 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MR RATTENBURY: When Mr Barr moves his amendment, I will be supporting that version, which has been circulated to members. In both the remarks he has made and the text of the amendment, Mr Barr has gone to the questions that Mr Smyth has posed. From my perspective as a member of the cabinet, having to make the budget decisions, I reiterate the position that I have long stated on behalf of the ACT Greens: we are committed to a balanced budget over an economic cycle. It is simply a matter of sustainability, a value that is very dear to the heart of the Greens. You cannot stay in deficit the whole time. There is a time for the government to invest in the economy, to take steps to make investments that will benefit this city down the line. Some of those choices are being made at the moment. But we must also get back into the black. The contribution that I will be making in cabinet will be seeking to achieve that goal, as the government has stated in its time line.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Sport and Recreation, Minister for Tourism and Events and Minister for Community Services) (5.16): Mr Assistant Speaker, I apologise; I got carried away with a million rum bars. I seek leave to move the amendment that has been circulated in my name.
Leave granted.
MR BARR: I move:
Omit all words after “That this Assembly”, substitute:
“(1) notes the Government’s 2013-2014 Budget Review released on Wednesday 12 February 2014 and that:
(a) the Territory will reach a balanced budget in 2016-17;
(b) in 2013-14 the Territory’s budget deficit has increased from $253.6 million to $360.6 million. This increase is explained primarily by parameter adjustments, including amended timing in the payment of Commonwealth grants and higher than expected superannuation expenses;
(c) in addition, due to the release of the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission’s water and sewerage pricing determination, the dividend and income tax equivalents paid to Government have been revised downwards, respectively, by $120.7 million and $54.3 million over four years; and
(d) the Review incorporates saving decisions of $38.1 million of savings across the forward estimates period that focus on improving the administration of Government programs with minimal impact on service delivery and can be broadly categorised as staffing and organisational efficiencies, better targeting of services and other savings, including the cessation of lower priority projects. Further details will be provided in 2014-15 Budget; and
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video