Ms SCRYMGOUR - 2010-04-29
Can you update the House on the infrastructure spend in Budget 2010-11?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. I believe she recognises the importance of building infrastructure across the Territory; particularly a big spend coming through in Budget 2010-11 for building in the bush, significant to supporting the growth of economic opportunities across the Territory.
Last year, we were faced, post-global financial crisis, with a situation of declining GST revenues and the private sector not in a position to continue the level of spend they had. We made a decisive decision to go into budget deficit in 2009-10; to have a record infrastructure spend of $1.3bn to support the economy through the tough times, through the recovery period post-global financial crisis. Whilst we are in recovery, we are not completely out of the woods in that the private sector spend has not returned to the extent it was. We have major projects on the horizon, so the horizon is looking very strong. If you look at Access Economics and their predictions for the strength of the Territory economy, it is an extremely strong economy in our nation.
That being said, we are making a very focused decision this year, in Budget 2010-11, to make a record …
Mr Giles: How much is revoted? How much will be revoted?
Ms LAWRIE: He cannot help himself.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: The government will make a record $1.8bn spend in infrastructure to support and create jobs. In the work we have been doing through the infrastructure spend, 6000 jobs were created, and we predict some 3600 jobs secured through this $1.8bn spend. We know better schools, better roads, and better hospitals are part of this infrastructure spend …
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 51. Those three members over there, principally the member for Braitling, are having a conversation amongst themselves, interrupting what the Treasurer is saying. Why can they not go outside in the lobby and have their conversation and leave the rest of us to listen to the answer?
Madam SPEAKER: Members, I remind you of Standing Order 51:
Mr Elferink: What is next year’s deficit going to be?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin! I am speaking. Excuse me, member for Port Darwin, there is actually respect in this House for the Chair. Treasurer, you have the call.
Ms LAWRIE: Thank you, Madam Speaker. In the 20 seconds I have left – $725m for housing and land release; $331m for roads; $213m for schools; $148m to upgrade hospitals; and, of course, the $13.8m for the water park - $1.8bn delivering for families now, investing in our future.
Madam SPEAKER: Treasurer, your time has expired.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. I believe she recognises the importance of building infrastructure across the Territory; particularly a big spend coming through in Budget 2010-11 for building in the bush, significant to supporting the growth of economic opportunities across the Territory.
Last year, we were faced, post-global financial crisis, with a situation of declining GST revenues and the private sector not in a position to continue the level of spend they had. We made a decisive decision to go into budget deficit in 2009-10; to have a record infrastructure spend of $1.3bn to support the economy through the tough times, through the recovery period post-global financial crisis. Whilst we are in recovery, we are not completely out of the woods in that the private sector spend has not returned to the extent it was. We have major projects on the horizon, so the horizon is looking very strong. If you look at Access Economics and their predictions for the strength of the Territory economy, it is an extremely strong economy in our nation.
That being said, we are making a very focused decision this year, in Budget 2010-11, to make a record …
Mr Giles: How much is revoted? How much will be revoted?
Ms LAWRIE: He cannot help himself.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: The government will make a record $1.8bn spend in infrastructure to support and create jobs. In the work we have been doing through the infrastructure spend, 6000 jobs were created, and we predict some 3600 jobs secured through this $1.8bn spend. We know better schools, better roads, and better hospitals are part of this infrastructure spend …
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 51. Those three members over there, principally the member for Braitling, are having a conversation amongst themselves, interrupting what the Treasurer is saying. Why can they not go outside in the lobby and have their conversation and leave the rest of us to listen to the answer?
Madam SPEAKER: Members, I remind you 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 …
Mr Elferink: What is next year’s deficit going to be?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin! I am speaking. Excuse me, member for Port Darwin, there is actually respect in this House for the Chair. Treasurer, you have the call.
Ms LAWRIE: Thank you, Madam Speaker. In the 20 seconds I have left – $725m for housing and land release; $331m for roads; $213m for schools; $148m to upgrade hospitals; and, of course, the $13.8m for the water park - $1.8bn delivering for families now, investing in our future.
Madam SPEAKER: Treasurer, your time has expired.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016