Introduced by: The Hon Chris Steel MLA (ALP) — Minister , Minister for Heritage, Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development, Minister for Transport, Treasurer
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Chris Steel ALP
“I move: That this bill be agreed to in principle. Irisetoday to present AppropriationBill 2024-2025(No2)andpresent totheAssembly the 2024-25 budget review. As members will know, this is the first time that I am presenting a significant economic and fiscal update to the Assembly and to our community.”
Jo Clay GRN
“I am sad to say that I was waiting for some answers from Treasury on thebudget bill that wearecurrentlyconsidering. Ilodgedthequestion on 20 February. The answer was due back on 28 February. Our secretariat has followed up more than once, and we still do not have it.”
Andrew Braddock GRN
“On Tuesday in a debate about the standing order 213A motion, I gave a commitment that I would be submitting freedom of information requests to cover the caretaker conviction issue. I wish to confirm for members of the Assembly that I have done so. Secondly, and more joyfully, I wanted to talk about the Memory Walk & Jog, which was held a couple of weeks ago on Lake Burley Griffin.”
Tara Cheyne ALP
“I want to take a moment to thank everyone who participated in Clean Up Australia Day on the weekend.”
Thomas Emerson IND
“I will be supporting this bill out of obvious necessity. Iam, however, concerned that the need for the bill betrays serious issues with the government’s management of our finances. We know that funding is desperately needed in many different areas. I am concerned that financial mismanagement means Canberrans are falling through the cracks.”
Ed Cocks LIB
“As has been expressed before, budgets are more than just numbers, statistics and forecasts and more than just bean counting and accounting adjustments. A budget provides, for any who care to look, an enduring picture of a government’s honesty, their trustworthiness and their competence. When a budget changes, it signals that at least one of these core values might be compromised.”
Leanne Castley IND
“I would like to make a few points about health and the appropriations. I will not be long; I just want to cover off a couple of the points that we have seen with regard to the minister’s work and developments in the health system since she joined the portfolio in 2019. On her watch, we have seen health spending skyrocket while outcomes have plummeted.”
“I commend clauses 1 to 7 to the Assembly. Of course, the reason that we are debating these clauses today is because CHS, Canberra Health Services, is experiencing continued strong growth in demand for acute health services, and we are seeing that across the ACT, as other jurisdictions are as well. This has been placing pressure on the health workforce, on health infrastructure and on the budget.”
“I rise to speak in support of this bill and provide further detail on how this bill best supports the important work we are doing to build a strong economy and a safe and connected Canberra. The 2024-25 budget review contains two measures directly related to my Children, Youth and Families portfolio: both are incredibly important.”
Chiaka Barry LIB
“While I support this bill, I rise to note the variation to appropriations in the Community Services Directorate. An additional $21.4 million is sought for child and youth protection, and while no-one in this place would object to appropriately funding out of home care, this is a significant increase. My concern is that there is no real explanation or justification for this significant increase.”
Shane Rattenbury GRN
“I thought I would speak briefly to this central reserve item in the budget because it was certainly one that we looked at very closely, as well, in the discussions both in the committee and then in the subsequent briefing with the Treasurer’s office, and I thank them for the time and the discussion on that one.”
Fiona Carrick IND
“I will not be supporting this part of the appropriationbill. Iunderstanditiscomingfromothercontingenciesinthedirectorates. I cannot see where the contingencies are reduced in the directorates’ books or in their appropriations. It seems that they still have the funds from the first appropriation and an additional $20 million is appropriated.”
Marisa Paterson ALP
“I am pleased to speak in support of the 2024-25 budget appropriation. The budget review provides for $259,000 in 2024-25 to continue planning and consultation to inform the introduction of electronic monitoring in the ACT. Electronic monitoring is expected to improve outcomes for offenders and community safety by increasing compliance rates and deterring offending behaviour.”
Deborah Morris LIB
“The opposition will support this appropriation, but I would like to make some brief comments, specifically on the $9.658 million appropriation to fund thewageincreases ofACTPolicing.Oneofthemost fundamental duties of government is to keep our community safe, and the government will never be able to fulfil this duty if they neglect the men and women who serve on our front line in ACT Policing.”