Page 4361 - Week 12 - Thursday, 24 October 2019
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and the context of the development, including the fact that it is a development that will occur on a brownfield site where there are existing activities that generate significant traffic movement.
I have also offered to meet with the Garran residents association, with the Garran Primary School and with the Woden Valley Community Council. I understand that the chair of the Woden Valley Community Council has already been in contact with my office to take up that offer. I have also expressed in my letter an apology if community members have felt that their concerns have not been addressed to date. But I have also highlighted that we are at the early stages of the community engagement process as we proceed with detailed design in relation to this project.
Mr Hanson: New question, Madam Speaker.
Mr Barr: He has already asked one.
Mr Wall: There is no restriction on the number of questions a member may ask.
Mr Barr: Every other member has to have asked a question.
Mr Wall: No. Question time continues until all non-executive members have asked a question.
MADAM SPEAKER: Can we please just all settle down.
Mr Wall: If you are going to hold the rules up and wave them around, know the rules.
MADAM SPEAKER: We have had a testy afternoon. Do not add to my irritation, Mr Wall.
Economy—performance
MR GUPTA: Chief Minister, can you update the Assembly on the performance of the ACT economy?
MR BARR: I am very pleased to provide the Assembly with some good news to end question time this afternoon. The ACT continues its nation-leading economic growth. In the June quarter 2019, state final demand grew by 0.8 per cent. That was the equal highest in the nation and more than double the national rate. Our gross state product grew by four per cent in the 2017-18 financial year.
Strong economic growth is important because it means more jobs and better jobs for Canberrans. Our labour market is the strongest in the nation. We have the lowest unemployment rate in Australia at 3.5 per cent. I am pleased to say that we also have the lowest youth unemployment rate in the country. Over the past year 7,600 new jobs were created in the territory, the majority of which were full time. There are now 235,000 Canberrans in employment.
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