Ms MARTIN - 1999-11-23
In 1998, with much fanfare, he told this House the Planning for Growth exercise was designed to ensure ‘that the people of the Territory get the best possible return and quality services for moneys expended’. Given that Planning for Growth was a major fiscal initiative of the Country Liberal Party during the past financial year, why is there absolutely no mention of it in the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report for 1998-99? Is the Treasurer ashamed of the outcome?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, it’s an interesting question. The Planning for Growth process was probably at its peak about this time last year. Honourable members had the opportunity to participate in debate and put forward their views. The Leader of the Opposition had an opportunity to put forward what she would do if she became Chief Minister and explain to Territorians how she would manage the Territory. Of course, she didn’t take that opportunity.
It is quite apparent from the information that was provided to this House, the public statements that were made by myself and ministers responsible for the relevant agencies of government, that the scope and the intent of Planning for Growth were well enunciated, well explained and well implemented. The difference between ...
Mr Stirling interjecting.
Mr REED: Look, take your tablets. Try and have a nice, peaceful Question Time, okay? Let the people listening to the broadcast and those in the Gallery hear the answers to your questions. Give a little nicety to your boss, okay? Please treat her with a bit of credit. You should at least have ...
Ms Martin: Oh, please! Just answer the question.
Mr REED: Planning for Growth was an exercise that ensured that government would be able to continue to provide good-quality services to Territorians regardless of where they live, that ensured that we had a financial management process in place so that we could live within our means and plan for growth. There have been some excellent examples of that recently, I have to say, and not just in the northern parts of the Northern Territory.
Only last week I was with the member for MacDonnell at Yulara, opening a new fire and rescue complex, and at Kulgera opening a new police station. There is a new tourism facility to be built in Katherine. The regions are doing very well. The ability of the government to make these advances reflects the financial management that we put in place.
Honourable members opposite would be a little embarrassed because you opposed it at every turn, although you didn’t come up with any alternative. The fact is that prior to the budgetary process the Planning for Growth initiatives had been employed. They were reflected in the budget for year 1999-2000 and as a consequence became a normal part of the ongoing process and nothing to do with embarrassment about Planning for Growth. I am still pursuing and receiving advice from agencies as to the implementation of it.
Does the Leader of the Opposition think I’m going to be embarrassed as Treasurer for applying good financial management to the Northern Territory, and ensuring on behalf of the government that we have the ability to be able to find $165m for the biggest project that’s about to happen in this country, and that we have the ability to continue to provide good services and infrastructure for Territorians? I’m not embarrassed - I’m proud of it and so is the government.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, it’s an interesting question. The Planning for Growth process was probably at its peak about this time last year. Honourable members had the opportunity to participate in debate and put forward their views. The Leader of the Opposition had an opportunity to put forward what she would do if she became Chief Minister and explain to Territorians how she would manage the Territory. Of course, she didn’t take that opportunity.
It is quite apparent from the information that was provided to this House, the public statements that were made by myself and ministers responsible for the relevant agencies of government, that the scope and the intent of Planning for Growth were well enunciated, well explained and well implemented. The difference between ...
Mr Stirling interjecting.
Mr REED: Look, take your tablets. Try and have a nice, peaceful Question Time, okay? Let the people listening to the broadcast and those in the Gallery hear the answers to your questions. Give a little nicety to your boss, okay? Please treat her with a bit of credit. You should at least have ...
Ms Martin: Oh, please! Just answer the question.
Mr REED: Planning for Growth was an exercise that ensured that government would be able to continue to provide good-quality services to Territorians regardless of where they live, that ensured that we had a financial management process in place so that we could live within our means and plan for growth. There have been some excellent examples of that recently, I have to say, and not just in the northern parts of the Northern Territory.
Only last week I was with the member for MacDonnell at Yulara, opening a new fire and rescue complex, and at Kulgera opening a new police station. There is a new tourism facility to be built in Katherine. The regions are doing very well. The ability of the government to make these advances reflects the financial management that we put in place.
Honourable members opposite would be a little embarrassed because you opposed it at every turn, although you didn’t come up with any alternative. The fact is that prior to the budgetary process the Planning for Growth initiatives had been employed. They were reflected in the budget for year 1999-2000 and as a consequence became a normal part of the ongoing process and nothing to do with embarrassment about Planning for Growth. I am still pursuing and receiving advice from agencies as to the implementation of it.
Does the Leader of the Opposition think I’m going to be embarrassed as Treasurer for applying good financial management to the Northern Territory, and ensuring on behalf of the government that we have the ability to be able to find $165m for the biggest project that’s about to happen in this country, and that we have the ability to continue to provide good services and infrastructure for Territorians? I’m not embarrassed - I’m proud of it and so is the government.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016