Ms SCRYMGOUR - 2010-05-05
Budget 2010-11 has been very well received. Can you update the House on some of the public assessments of Budget 2010-11?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Arafura. It is a budget that we know delivers now for families but, importantly, also invests in our future. Government made a deliberate decision to go into a deficit position to fund our record infrastructure spend; that is to protect jobs and help drive the Territory economy.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Chris Young gave the budget an eight out of 10. Anyone who knows Chris knows he is a bit of a hard taskmaster. I will take that result any day from Chris Young. I quote him as well:
He has spoken of the importance of putting money into the economy:
Speaking on debt this morning, Chris Young from the Chamber of Commerce said:
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: Oh, I know they do not want to hear it; they do not want to hear what people actually have to say other than themselves.
Speaking about our record $1.8bn infrastructure spend, Graham Kemp from the Master Builders said that it was vital for the health of the construction industry. He said …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: Cannot help themselves.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, cease interjecting!
Ms LAWRIE: I quote ...
Both Chris and Graham have pointed out the key purpose of our infrastructure spend: it is good for the economy, it is saving and protecting jobs, and creating jobs. Business understands that, in the context of a $5.1bn budget, our forecast deficits are completely sustainable. I have spoken to quite a few business people in the last 24 hours. They strongly support our decision to go into deficit to fund the infrastructure. They know it is the right decision for the right time. It is simply good economics for the Territory and the economy, and good for business.
The budget delivers now for families. I particularly liked the comment from the father of three, Tim Mackenzie, in today’s paper:
That is what Budget 2010-11 is all about: better schools, better hospitals, and more housing.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Arafura. It is a budget that we know delivers now for families but, importantly, also invests in our future. Government made a deliberate decision to go into a deficit position to fund our record infrastructure spend; that is to protect jobs and help drive the Territory economy.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Chris Young gave the budget an eight out of 10. Anyone who knows Chris knows he is a bit of a hard taskmaster. I will take that result any day from Chris Young. I quote him as well:
- … from the Chamber’s point of view, we’re very happy to see the way the budget has gone.
He has spoken of the importance of putting money into the economy:
- You’re talking $5.1bn-worth of expenditure … they’re throwing virtually everything that’s coming in the door straight back out the door and that’s got to be good for the economy.
Speaking on debt this morning, Chris Young from the Chamber of Commerce said:
- I think it is a good type of debt. I mean we can’t reiterate enough the fact that its the roads, the rail, the airports and the ports that are the sort of, and then the power and water, those are the infrastructure things that business needs, it makes it easier to do business.
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: Oh, I know they do not want to hear it; they do not want to hear what people actually have to say other than themselves.
Speaking about our record $1.8bn infrastructure spend, Graham Kemp from the Master Builders said that it was vital for the health of the construction industry. He said …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: Cannot help themselves.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, cease interjecting!
Ms LAWRIE: I quote ...
- It will introduce 3600 extra jobs but it will actually save existing jobs that are already here, and we need that for future projects.
Both Chris and Graham have pointed out the key purpose of our infrastructure spend: it is good for the economy, it is saving and protecting jobs, and creating jobs. Business understands that, in the context of a $5.1bn budget, our forecast deficits are completely sustainable. I have spoken to quite a few business people in the last 24 hours. They strongly support our decision to go into deficit to fund the infrastructure. They know it is the right decision for the right time. It is simply good economics for the Territory and the economy, and good for business.
The budget delivers now for families. I particularly liked the comment from the father of three, Tim Mackenzie, in today’s paper:
- Obviously with two at school and one who will be there soon, any spending on schools is a good thing.
That is what Budget 2010-11 is all about: better schools, better hospitals, and more housing.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016