Ms WALKER - 2009-05-05
The Treasurer has said that Budget 2009-10 is a tough budget for tough times focused on protecting Territory jobs. Can you explain why the government has emphasised jobs in the budget?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: The Leader of the Opposition obviously thinks that protecting Territory jobs is some sort of a joke, and something that government should …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: He sits there inanely chortling away as if this whole budget process is some sort of joke ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: That is the level of importance the Leader of the Opposition places on this particular process. Budget 2009-10 is about protecting Territory jobs - Territory jobs today, tomorrow, and into the future. There is nothing more important to Territorians than protecting their jobs.
We have had to frame this budget in the toughest of economic circumstances. Members opposite must be living in a cave if they do not understand this: economic circumstances have never been tougher in over 70 years in terms of economic collapse …
Mr Mills: You made it worse.
Mr Tollner: You made it worse; you have compounded the problem.
Mr HENDERSON: I will pick up the interjection from the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow Business minister. I will not repeat it because it just goes to show how little they understand.
We have just delivered Budget 2009-10. We are going to have economic growth come in at around 4% - 4%, 4.1% - when the rest of the nation is heading to a collapse in their economies and negative numbers in GDP growth. We are also forecasting - and these are just not Treasury forecasts, Northern Territory government forecasts, but Access Economics forecasts - economic growth around 2% next year when the rest of the world will be: Japan, minus-6%, all of the European countries minus-4%, and Australia minus-1.5%. We still have a plus number in front of our economic forecast. That is what this government has delivered through strong fiscal management.
What does the CLP want? The CLP is arguing against going into deficit. They are arguing against going into deficit, so if we look at what the CLP want, they want higher taxes and slashing jobs. They absolutely cannot have it both ways. The CLP stands for high taxes and job cuts. That is exactly what they stand for. We have seen GST revenues collapse in the rest of Australia as a result of a collapse in consumer confidence.
That has not occurred here in the Territory. We are still seeing consumer confidence relatively high, and this budget will give Territorians confidence in the future; specifically the next financial year. There is nothing more important than a secure job. All of those public servants out there, who the CLP would have an axe hanging over their heads, slashing public services –17 000 public servants can be confident that, under this government, we will protect their jobs and value the work that they do.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Refusing to accept, as the CLP does, the need for debt in the context of a global recession, will lead to economic catastrophe. Their policy of absolutely refusing to accept the need for debt will lead to economic catastrophe. They would also devastate government services. Arguing against the deficit, as they are doing in this current economic climate, is arguing for higher unemployment and for business failures. That is what the CLP stands for – high unemployment, business failures.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
That is what they stand for. That is what we inherited when we came to government. When we came to government, we actually had the Australian economy growing and we had 0.0% growth in the Northern Territory, with people leaving in droves and an enormous budget deficit. That is what they would take us back to. They have the runs on the board, they would do it again.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: We stand here proudly for Territory jobs – this will be a temporary deficit. The Treasurer has outlined in the Budget Papers a climb out path and we are absolutely committed to that. At the Chamber of Commerce lunch today, I walked around and spoke with many of the leaders in our business community, as I know we all did. Everyone I spoke to said this is the right budget in a really tough time. I commend the budget to the House.
Madam SPEAKER: Before I call you, member for Port Darwin, I remind honourable members of Standing Order 51:
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: The Leader of the Opposition obviously thinks that protecting Territory jobs is some sort of a joke, and something that government should …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: He sits there inanely chortling away as if this whole budget process is some sort of joke ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: That is the level of importance the Leader of the Opposition places on this particular process. Budget 2009-10 is about protecting Territory jobs - Territory jobs today, tomorrow, and into the future. There is nothing more important to Territorians than protecting their jobs.
We have had to frame this budget in the toughest of economic circumstances. Members opposite must be living in a cave if they do not understand this: economic circumstances have never been tougher in over 70 years in terms of economic collapse …
Mr Mills: You made it worse.
Mr Tollner: You made it worse; you have compounded the problem.
Mr HENDERSON: I will pick up the interjection from the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow Business minister. I will not repeat it because it just goes to show how little they understand.
We have just delivered Budget 2009-10. We are going to have economic growth come in at around 4% - 4%, 4.1% - when the rest of the nation is heading to a collapse in their economies and negative numbers in GDP growth. We are also forecasting - and these are just not Treasury forecasts, Northern Territory government forecasts, but Access Economics forecasts - economic growth around 2% next year when the rest of the world will be: Japan, minus-6%, all of the European countries minus-4%, and Australia minus-1.5%. We still have a plus number in front of our economic forecast. That is what this government has delivered through strong fiscal management.
What does the CLP want? The CLP is arguing against going into deficit. They are arguing against going into deficit, so if we look at what the CLP want, they want higher taxes and slashing jobs. They absolutely cannot have it both ways. The CLP stands for high taxes and job cuts. That is exactly what they stand for. We have seen GST revenues collapse in the rest of Australia as a result of a collapse in consumer confidence.
That has not occurred here in the Territory. We are still seeing consumer confidence relatively high, and this budget will give Territorians confidence in the future; specifically the next financial year. There is nothing more important than a secure job. All of those public servants out there, who the CLP would have an axe hanging over their heads, slashing public services –17 000 public servants can be confident that, under this government, we will protect their jobs and value the work that they do.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Refusing to accept, as the CLP does, the need for debt in the context of a global recession, will lead to economic catastrophe. Their policy of absolutely refusing to accept the need for debt will lead to economic catastrophe. They would also devastate government services. Arguing against the deficit, as they are doing in this current economic climate, is arguing for higher unemployment and for business failures. That is what the CLP stands for – high unemployment, business failures.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
That is what they stand for. That is what we inherited when we came to government. When we came to government, we actually had the Australian economy growing and we had 0.0% growth in the Northern Territory, with people leaving in droves and an enormous budget deficit. That is what they would take us back to. They have the runs on the board, they would do it again.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: We stand here proudly for Territory jobs – this will be a temporary deficit. The Treasurer has outlined in the Budget Papers a climb out path and we are absolutely committed to that. At the Chamber of Commerce lunch today, I walked around and spoke with many of the leaders in our business community, as I know we all did. Everyone I spoke to said this is the right budget in a really tough time. I commend the budget to the House.
Madam SPEAKER: Before I call you, member for Port Darwin, I remind honourable members of Standing Order 51:
- No Member may converse aloud or make any noise or disturbance which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of interrupting a Member speaking.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016