Page 445 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 18 March 2014
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legislation. More recently, the first bill on red tape reduction to benefit motor vehicle repairers, employment agents, second-hand dealers, travel agents and car market operators was passed and is already saving those industries time and effort through not having to apply for annual licence or registration renewals.
A clear demonstration of this government’s ongoing commitment to supporting local jobs and listening to business needs was the Chief Minister’s recent announcement of an economic stimulus package to support the building and construction sector. This package is a direct response to the advocacy of our local industry groups for change around the lease variation charge and extension-of-time fees. We anticipate that the stimulus measures will see up to $500 million in flow-through effects across the territory’s economy.
The package also offers a boost for housing affordability through the accelerated development in Moncrieff. We want to see industry continuing to innovate in the construction of quality affordable homes. The government’s land release program now includes a pipeline of more than $500 million in landscape and civil works across greenfield and infill estates in the ACT.
The government are committed to supporting local jobs. We are committed to supporting businesses so that they can be successful, and wherever we can we will make it as easy as possible to interact with government. We are committed to measures that will stimulate activity, build momentum in the ACT economy and provide considerable economic and employment benefits throughout the ACT.
MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Chief Minister, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Health and Minister for Higher Education) (4.00): Dr Bourke’s MPI goes to the highest priorities of the government, particularly as we move towards the federal and ACT budgets. As I said in concluding my state of the territory address last Thursday, if our centenary year was a test of community spirit and culture, this year will be a test of economic mettle.
If we are to meet this challenge, maintaining confidence and momentum in our economy are critical. It would be very easy to join the voices of doom and gloom and the associated speculation that comes with that. But instead I think we should all focus on our strengths and the opportunities that come within the next couple of years.
The facts show that while we need to move ahead with caution, the fundamentals of our economy remain strong and the long-term vision and reform program of the government will continue to drive new opportunities over the next few years. We know that our economy has been holding up very well despite two years since the federal spending contraction began in earnest.
We know that our unemployment rate has fallen to 3.4 per cent. This occurred on the day of my address to the Business Council. It is by far the lowest in the country and it is helping other economic vitals stay strong as well. You only have to pick up the Canberra Times on a daily basis to read stories about job cuts and doom and gloom coming around the corner. But I think it is important to acknowledge that the economy has held up stronger than most would have expected and that the job for the
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