Page 63 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 11 February 2020
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I thank Mr Barr for bringing this motion to the Assembly today. I acknowledge all the comments that have been made, in what has been a difficult time for us all, and the contributions of everybody in this place who I have seen out in the community through this time.
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality, Minister for Tertiary Education, Minister for Tourism and Special Events and Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment) (3.31), in reply: I thank all members for their contributions. They highlight the significant role that we all play in this place as elected representatives of this community. We heard the personal and heartfelt stories of individuals in this place who were impacted, and the support that they have provided to broader communities, not just here in Canberra but in the greater region, reflects very well on the Legislative Assembly.
I thank members for their contribution to this debate. I hope it sets the tone for how this year will be conducted. Time will tell in relation to that, Madam Assistant Speaker, but it shows the best of this place and is something we can all be proud of, though we know, as we move into the weeks and months ahead, that the recovery phase can be just as challenging as dealing with the immediate crisis. I again thank the ESA for their leadership and support of our community. I acknowledge that this is a summer that we will never forget. I commend the motion to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Government priorities 2020
Ministerial statement
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality, Minister for Tertiary Education, Minister for Tourism and Special Events and Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment) (3.33): Through this 2020 year, the ACT government will continue to deliver on our plan for a better Canberra. This includes a stronger health system, delivering care where people need it; an education system that helps all children to reach their potential; building the infrastructure and creating good new jobs that our growing city needs; and taking real effective action to protect our environment, to reduce emissions and to combat climate change. It is what Canberrans want and deserve from their government.
Smoke and fires have affected Canberrans’ lives but also produced significant economic shocks. As I have already indicated, the long-term impacts to our economy and local businesses will not be apparent for some time. Despite this, though, there is cause for optimism. Canberra continues to be a growing city. Our population is growing, our economy is growing, employment is growing, long-term tourism is growing and investment in our city is growing.
Today we can say that we now account for the largest share of the national economy in our history. The ACT economy now contributes almost $42 billion annually to Australia’s economic effort. That makes the ACT economy larger than the Tasmanian economy and larger than the Northern Territory economy, and it is one of the fastest
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