Page 2429 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 9 August 2016
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I move:
That the Assembly take note of the paper.
The select committee’s report touches on a wide range of issues, the outcome of which has been 144 recommendations to government, and I will broadly address the structure of the government’s response to these recommendations in a moment. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the committee and to particularly acknowledge the work of Pegasus Economics in providing a broad-reaching and independent assessment of the budget. The analysis provided a number of important observations regarding the activities of government and I certainly remind the Assembly that the government has already responded to those observations with a copy of that government response being provided to the chair of the committee on 4 July 2016.
The 2016-17 budget is a budget for an even better Canberra, our suburbs, our people, our businesses and our economy. The 2016-17 budget will ensure that Canberra remains the world’s most livable city and a place for Canberrans to be proud of, with an economy in which we can all feel confidence. The budget ensures we have the right services, the right facilities and the right infrastructure that our residents and businesses deserve and expect.
This budget, like those before it, delivers more services today and in coming years and builds on the government’s plan to secure a better future for Canberra. It delivers quality schools, quality roads, quality hospitals and quality community services. This budget delivers support for the economy and a significant investment in new infrastructure that will deliver jobs for Canberra.
In the 2016-17 budget the government makes a stand against domestic and family violence so that Canberrans can feel safe in their homes. In addition, the nearly $21½ million safe families package will also drive the next phase of improvements in a whole-of-government, community-backed response to family violence. The ACT has joined with the commonwealth and all other states and territories for a national campaign to counter violence against women and children.
Through the budget we are continuing to make taxes fairer, simpler and more efficient. We have further slashed stamp duty, we have cut payroll tax again and we have abolished insurance tax altogether. We have adhered to a fiscal strategy that achieves an operating balance over time, offsetting temporary deficits during periods of more depressed economic activity, with surpluses in periods of stronger economic activity. The key to this strategy is the responsible management of the territory’s public finances, balancing sustainable taxation revenues with a high standard of service delivery. This approach has given us the flexibility to deal with economic circumstances as they arise. We have supported the ACT economy in light of the commonwealth Liberal government’s cuts and we continue to implement a coordinated and compassionate response to the complex issue that is asbestos removal.
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