Page 456 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 19 February 2020

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(b) that the ACT unemployment rate in December 2019 of 3.1 percent is the lowest rate of all jurisdictions;

(c) that the ACT annual employment growth rate, at 3.3 percent, is the highest of all jurisdictions, representing 7500 jobs created in the ACT in 2019; and

(d) that Canberrans pay among the lowest charges for electricity in the country;

(2) also notes that the ACT Government:

(a) through the mid-year budget review, has stepped in to provide financial support to the Canberra community at a time of economic uncertainty;

(b) has set the payroll tax threshold at the highest in the country, meaning most ACT businesses pay no payroll tax;

(d) currently offers a range of initiatives to assist Canberrans with household expenses;

(e) acknowledges the cost of fuel remains a significant expense for motorists and is actively pursuing a range of measures to bring down retail fuel prices;

(f) has made investments into renewable energy which is predicted to bring down electricity costs for consumers;

(g) has made significant investment into infrastructure that will ensure that we have the essential services our population needs as it continues to grow;

(h) has continued to invest in nurse-led walk-in centres in the ACT which provide free medical treatment to support Canberran families;

(i) has continued the rollout of universal three-year-old education; and

(j) has provided over 20 000 Chromebooks to ACT public school students and will continue to provide all ACT public school students in Years 7 to 12 with a free Chromebook device;

(3) further notes:

(a) research shows that the Commonwealth Government’s Newstart allowance is one of the lowest unemployment benefits in the developed world; and

(b) reckless cuts to revenue will reduce Canberrans’ quality of life, by reducing services, cutting staff, or halting necessary projects for a growing city; and

(4) calls on the ACT Government to continue to invest in essential services and economic infrastructure, while working with the community to effectively reduce cost of living expenses.”.

The amendment circulated in my name goes to highlight the importance of strong economic growth, low unemployment, targeted assistance to those most in need, and highlights a range of initiatives the government has put in place to provide financial support to the Canberra community at a time of economic uncertainty.

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