Ms WALKER - 2010-04-28
Can you update the House on the priorities of Budget 2010-11?
Mr Giles: Spin! Just a one word answer. Spin!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Westra van Holthe: Well, just say everything, because everything they say is a priority.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Katherine, you do not have the call.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, Budget 2010-11 will be tight, but it is focused. GST revenue, as recorded, has been declining as a result of the global financial crisis.
I know the clowns opposite laugh and joke, but there are many people in the Territory actually interested in the Territory budget I will be handing down as Treasurer next Tuesday. If you can contain yourselves just for a moment, it might be useful.
The budget will be about protecting jobs and keeping our tax regime the lowest-taxing regime for both small- and medium-sized enterprises. Importantly, we are focused on better hospitals and a better health system; better schools and, certainly, more housing – spending in key areas of infrastructure.
After seven budget surpluses in a row, we have made a deliberate and responsible decision to step into deficit. We are not alone; every Australian jurisdiction in their mid-year report predicted budget deficits. It is the responsible thing to do to ensure we are providing for job protection and, importantly, job creation. This is in complete contrast to the wrecking ball of the CLP. They have this strange policy which is not quite a housing policy according to the member for Port Darwin, who was wriggling around on radio yesterday morning: ‘No, it is not really a policy, even though it is actually termed policy, because it will cost about’ …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Relevance: the minister was not asked questions about Country Liberals policy. She was asked about her main focus in the coming budget. It was not what the Country Liberals are about. Answer the question!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, resume your seat. It is not a point of order. Please continue, minister.
Ms LAWRIE: I can understand why the member for Fong Lim would be feeling a little touchy and defensive about this policy which is not really a policy, despite the fact it is called a policy, because it would punch a $1bn wrecking ball through a budget line.
The global financial crisis is certainly coming to the end. We have recovery coming out of that, however we are facing the TFC – the Terry Financial Crisis – a wrecking ball, reckless spending through the budget, decimating it by $1bn - $1bn which would be stripped out of health or schools or housing. They are a joke; they have no credibility when it comes to the budget.
Mr Giles: Spin! Just a one word answer. Spin!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Westra van Holthe: Well, just say everything, because everything they say is a priority.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Katherine, you do not have the call.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, Budget 2010-11 will be tight, but it is focused. GST revenue, as recorded, has been declining as a result of the global financial crisis.
I know the clowns opposite laugh and joke, but there are many people in the Territory actually interested in the Territory budget I will be handing down as Treasurer next Tuesday. If you can contain yourselves just for a moment, it might be useful.
The budget will be about protecting jobs and keeping our tax regime the lowest-taxing regime for both small- and medium-sized enterprises. Importantly, we are focused on better hospitals and a better health system; better schools and, certainly, more housing – spending in key areas of infrastructure.
After seven budget surpluses in a row, we have made a deliberate and responsible decision to step into deficit. We are not alone; every Australian jurisdiction in their mid-year report predicted budget deficits. It is the responsible thing to do to ensure we are providing for job protection and, importantly, job creation. This is in complete contrast to the wrecking ball of the CLP. They have this strange policy which is not quite a housing policy according to the member for Port Darwin, who was wriggling around on radio yesterday morning: ‘No, it is not really a policy, even though it is actually termed policy, because it will cost about’ …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Relevance: the minister was not asked questions about Country Liberals policy. She was asked about her main focus in the coming budget. It was not what the Country Liberals are about. Answer the question!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, resume your seat. It is not a point of order. Please continue, minister.
Ms LAWRIE: I can understand why the member for Fong Lim would be feeling a little touchy and defensive about this policy which is not really a policy, despite the fact it is called a policy, because it would punch a $1bn wrecking ball through a budget line.
The global financial crisis is certainly coming to the end. We have recovery coming out of that, however we are facing the TFC – the Terry Financial Crisis – a wrecking ball, reckless spending through the budget, decimating it by $1bn - $1bn which would be stripped out of health or schools or housing. They are a joke; they have no credibility when it comes to the budget.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016