Mr BURKE - 2007-05-03
Approximately 30% of Palmerston’s population is 15 years or younger. Can you advise how Budget 2007-08 provides for them and other Territory families now and into the future?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Brennan for his question. He represents a young constituency in Palmerston and, as a father, he knows just how important it is to see government initiatives to support families in our community.
Every Territory family will benefit from Budget 2007-08. We have benefit in our strong economy. Of course, important to families is to have job opportunities - jobs for the parents, the teenagers coming through, and for those kids who have left home. Essential to families’ needs is employment, and we have a very strong economy, with initiatives in this budget for job creation programs.
They also benefit from our concessions for first homebuyers. Families are supported by our priorities, improving student outcomes; education is a central issue for Territory families. We have another huge education budget and initiatives to support families. Regarding Building a Healthier Community, the improvements in our health system laid out in the health budget are significant. In making our community safer, the families of the northern suburbs are looking forward to the Casuarina Police Station being completed. Families are also benefiting from the most generous support in childcare in Australia. We are the only state or territory level jurisdiction that provides a subsidy to childcare. This year, that total childcare subsidy will be $3.7m. That goes directly towards cutting the cost of childcare.
Importantly, Budget 2007-08 also looks at families in need. The budget provides $18.7m to support individuals and families who are in crisis in our community. For those families who have fallen on difficult times, the government works hard to support them and help them get back on track.
We have provided $35.8m for the protection of our children. Our child protection budget is now 356% higher than the ridiculously under-funded budget of the CLP era. These funds will help to protect our children from all forms of abuse and neglect by employing some 223 staff and providing, importantly, grants to our non-government sector to support those organisations. Budget 2007-08 helps make the Northern Territory the best place in the world to raise your family.
Madam SPEAKER: Before I call the next question, I remind the cameramen that filming in the Chamber is only of members on their feet and people who are incidental to that, or the Speaker when speaking.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Brennan for his question. He represents a young constituency in Palmerston and, as a father, he knows just how important it is to see government initiatives to support families in our community.
Every Territory family will benefit from Budget 2007-08. We have benefit in our strong economy. Of course, important to families is to have job opportunities - jobs for the parents, the teenagers coming through, and for those kids who have left home. Essential to families’ needs is employment, and we have a very strong economy, with initiatives in this budget for job creation programs.
They also benefit from our concessions for first homebuyers. Families are supported by our priorities, improving student outcomes; education is a central issue for Territory families. We have another huge education budget and initiatives to support families. Regarding Building a Healthier Community, the improvements in our health system laid out in the health budget are significant. In making our community safer, the families of the northern suburbs are looking forward to the Casuarina Police Station being completed. Families are also benefiting from the most generous support in childcare in Australia. We are the only state or territory level jurisdiction that provides a subsidy to childcare. This year, that total childcare subsidy will be $3.7m. That goes directly towards cutting the cost of childcare.
Importantly, Budget 2007-08 also looks at families in need. The budget provides $18.7m to support individuals and families who are in crisis in our community. For those families who have fallen on difficult times, the government works hard to support them and help them get back on track.
We have provided $35.8m for the protection of our children. Our child protection budget is now 356% higher than the ridiculously under-funded budget of the CLP era. These funds will help to protect our children from all forms of abuse and neglect by employing some 223 staff and providing, importantly, grants to our non-government sector to support those organisations. Budget 2007-08 helps make the Northern Territory the best place in the world to raise your family.
Madam SPEAKER: Before I call the next question, I remind the cameramen that filming in the Chamber is only of members on their feet and people who are incidental to that, or the Speaker when speaking.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016