Ms SCRYMGOUR - 2001-11-28
What has the reaction been to the mini-budget?
ANSWER
That is a terrific question and I thank the member for Arafura for a very pertinent and apt question …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, members of the opposition. The Chief Minister has the floor, give her a chance to answer.
Ms MARTIN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think there has been, from across the Territory, a very positive feedback to this mini-budget. I am very heartened because Territorians clearly understand where the responsibility lies. They understand that the deficit that was left by the CLP, despite the continual denials we will hear. It is not surprising. When the previous administration could put in the previous budget papers such a dishonest number about the deficit for the present year, then it is not surprising the denials continue.
Let us look at some of the comments. From the Motor Traders Association: ‘an even-handed budget.’ Thank you, Motor Traders Association.
Mr Reed: Don’t forget the chap on the top of page 2 of the paper, what he said. It wasn’t very nice for you.
Ms MARTIN: Have you finished? Good. From the Territory Construction Association talking about QuickStart II: ‘A great initiative’, and very pleased with the QuickStart II initiative and the $15m into the construction budget to go to those road repairs and the minor new works categories, and to pick up the problems created by the previous administration about period contracts. ‘A great initiative’, says the TCA. The Chamber of Commerce says: ‘It gives the Territory direction and helps overcome the deficit’. So, from the Chamber of Commerce, a recognition that we have not had direction.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, cease. Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, you know you are not to have conversations across the Chamber. The Chief Minister has the floor and that is who we are trying to listen to.
Ms MARTIN: I repeat, Madam Speaker, ‘This budget’, says the Chamber of Commerce, ‘gives the Territory direction and helps overcome the deficit’. Other business people we talked to said it is the right thing to do, it is a well-rounded budget and that, even though there is pain within this budget - and I apologise to Territorians for that, but we know directly whose responsibility it is - the deficit that was left by the previous administration had to be tackled. It was the only reason for this mini-budget, to tackle that deficit. Otherwise, Labor’s promises could have been put into place quite simply, but we needed to have a mini-budget to tackle the deficit left by the previous administration.
I recognise the fact that there are tough measures in the budget, but when you listened to 40 minutes of the Opposition Leader this morning, what a waste of space, what a waste of time, nothing constructive to say - whingeing, whining the sky is falling in, minute after minute after minute. Worse still was the Opposition Leader’s total denial in accepting any responsibility for the black hole in the budget - a black hole of $107m-plus in the budget.
I am gratified that Territory businesses and the non-government sector in the community has demonstrated their willingness to work with this government. I think we saw that very clearly in the Economic Development Summit held in this Chamber. The positive response we gained yesterday from the budget again demonstrates that what this government is talking about is partnerships with the community, it is not talking about the arrogance of the past. We are talking about partnerships for the future, and that is something that will be the hallmark of this government. I thank all those who have been responsive to our mini-budget, who have recognised there were hard measures, but recognised it also gives a direction and a new culture for where the Territory is going.
ANSWER
That is a terrific question and I thank the member for Arafura for a very pertinent and apt question …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, members of the opposition. The Chief Minister has the floor, give her a chance to answer.
Ms MARTIN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think there has been, from across the Territory, a very positive feedback to this mini-budget. I am very heartened because Territorians clearly understand where the responsibility lies. They understand that the deficit that was left by the CLP, despite the continual denials we will hear. It is not surprising. When the previous administration could put in the previous budget papers such a dishonest number about the deficit for the present year, then it is not surprising the denials continue.
Let us look at some of the comments. From the Motor Traders Association: ‘an even-handed budget.’ Thank you, Motor Traders Association.
Mr Reed: Don’t forget the chap on the top of page 2 of the paper, what he said. It wasn’t very nice for you.
Ms MARTIN: Have you finished? Good. From the Territory Construction Association talking about QuickStart II: ‘A great initiative’, and very pleased with the QuickStart II initiative and the $15m into the construction budget to go to those road repairs and the minor new works categories, and to pick up the problems created by the previous administration about period contracts. ‘A great initiative’, says the TCA. The Chamber of Commerce says: ‘It gives the Territory direction and helps overcome the deficit’. So, from the Chamber of Commerce, a recognition that we have not had direction.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, cease. Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, you know you are not to have conversations across the Chamber. The Chief Minister has the floor and that is who we are trying to listen to.
Ms MARTIN: I repeat, Madam Speaker, ‘This budget’, says the Chamber of Commerce, ‘gives the Territory direction and helps overcome the deficit’. Other business people we talked to said it is the right thing to do, it is a well-rounded budget and that, even though there is pain within this budget - and I apologise to Territorians for that, but we know directly whose responsibility it is - the deficit that was left by the previous administration had to be tackled. It was the only reason for this mini-budget, to tackle that deficit. Otherwise, Labor’s promises could have been put into place quite simply, but we needed to have a mini-budget to tackle the deficit left by the previous administration.
I recognise the fact that there are tough measures in the budget, but when you listened to 40 minutes of the Opposition Leader this morning, what a waste of space, what a waste of time, nothing constructive to say - whingeing, whining the sky is falling in, minute after minute after minute. Worse still was the Opposition Leader’s total denial in accepting any responsibility for the black hole in the budget - a black hole of $107m-plus in the budget.
I am gratified that Territory businesses and the non-government sector in the community has demonstrated their willingness to work with this government. I think we saw that very clearly in the Economic Development Summit held in this Chamber. The positive response we gained yesterday from the budget again demonstrates that what this government is talking about is partnerships with the community, it is not talking about the arrogance of the past. We are talking about partnerships for the future, and that is something that will be the hallmark of this government. I thank all those who have been responsive to our mini-budget, who have recognised there were hard measures, but recognised it also gives a direction and a new culture for where the Territory is going.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016