Page 398 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 19 February 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MS CODY: Chief Minister, the construction sector is a major contributor to the ACT’s economy and employs thousands of Canberrans. What is the outlook for this important sector in 2019?
MR BARR: The construction sector is set for a period of strong activity through 2019. There is an extensive pipeline of both private and public sector projects and ongoing growth in residential construction. It all contributes to a positive outlook.
In last week’s budget review we updated the government’s own capital program, which now includes over $2.8 billion worth of infrastructure projects to be delivered over the next four years, including $753 million this year alone. We are getting on with the construction of the new health, education, transport and community infrastructure that our fast-growing city needs, thus supporting good local jobs in the process. The latest monthly data shows that residential building approvals are up more than 35 per cent compared to the same time last year. This is the strongest result nationally, particularly worth noting at a time when approvals fell by 22½ per cent nationally.
Although we have seen a record period of residential approvals and building across Canberra in recent years, it is clear that our strong economic fundamentals, like employment and population growth, are providing the foundation for continued growth of the construction sector in our local economy. Workers and business owners in the construction sector can look forward to the year ahead with more confidence and optimism than their counterparts elsewhere in Australia because our local market continues to perform strongly.
Taxis—government assistance
MS LAWDER: My question is to the Minister for Seniors and Veterans. Minister, Narelle and her husband invested in five ACT taxi plates to fund their retirement. Now, after her lifetime of work, three of Narelle’s plates are on the shelf and virtually worthless because your government has flooded the taxi plate market. Narelle has had her income reduced by over 75 per cent in just 12 months and now has to continue working at the age of 75. Minister, what do you have to say to Narelle?
MR RAMSAY: I thank Ms Lawder for the question. Before I come to the details of the question, I want to deal with the premise of the question. It is based on a flawed premise, which is that there has been a flooding of the market. That is not true. There has been a gradual release of extra taxi plates into the market over a number of years. It is important for there to be accuracy on that.
For people affected by the transition there has been some impact and, again, I draw people’s attention to the counselling and support services that the government is providing through Woden Community Service.
MS LAWDER: Minister, what do you have to say to the dozens of Canberrans who have lost more than 75 per cent of their retirement income as a direct result of your government’s taxi plate policies?
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video