5 June 2013

Budget responses

| Barcham
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So we have the official word on what the budget is, but how does everyone feel about the budget?

We’ll keep this page updated with reactions as we receive them so check back.


Shane Rattenbury starts us off, and is obviously a bit happy about what’s going on (he should be, he helped write the thing):

ACT Greens member for Molonglo, Shane Rattenbury has welcomed the 2013-14 ACT Budget, saying that it provides a level of fiscal responsibility and foresight that will see Canberra become a more sustainable city in to the future.

“Of particular note are two big picture projects that the Greens have advocated for over some time: light rail for Canberra and the Common Ground initiative,” said Mr Rattenbury.

“Light rail for Canberra is progressed with $18.7m for Capital Metro and the light rail master plan; this will be an historic milestone for Canberra’s public transport and its future development.


Jeremy Hanson doesn’t like the budget! I’m as shocked as you are Rioters.

The Budget handed down today is a classic ‘Wayne Swan’ special, full of debt, deficit and deceit, said Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Hanson.

“After promising responsible economic management, Labor has increased borrowings from $2.7 to $3.5 billion dollars. Money Canberrans have to repay and cannot be spent on real projects.

“The interest bill on the borrowings is over $655 million – enough to build and staff an entire hospital this term alone, debt free.

“The deficit is over $340 million, a massive running deficit that is simply unsustainable.

“And the deceit is astonishing. There is no excuse for the debt and deficits – revenue will actually grow by about $250 million a year and will be a billion dollars a year more by the end of the out years. And astonishingly, over the next four years Labor will spend $668 million in excess of this funding growth.


Johnboy taking over now for the sickly Barcham.

The Ratepayers’ Association says quadruple rates are now on the cards.


The Chamber of Commerce are leading with approving noises before noticing the deficit is expanding and the ACT PS is not getting a haircut.


The Convention Centre has expressed its pleasure at getting slipped a bung.


If you want your reactions noted send us something to news@the-riotact.com.

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I’m sure Tuggeranong would like the $3 million being wasted on the Eastman inquiry.

After the mayor gets his light rail, will he start campaigning for ashtrays on motorbikes?

HiddenDragon12:21 pm 05 Jun 13

dtc said :

Will the Libs come out and say what cuts they think should be made in order to bring the budget back to surplus? Its all easy to say ‘dont spend so much’, not easy to say ‘you over there will lose all your funding’

Yes, that’s a very fair point – particularly with Jeremy Hanson apparently trying to win favour with ACT government employees who are unhappy about a pay offer which is not in excess of the CPI. I think it’s time for some sober straight talking about the ACT’s (and Australia’s) financial position and prospects.

HiddenDragon11:54 am 05 Jun 13

HiddenDragon said :

I’m not sure if I’m perfectly correct but it would appear that, under this budget with an increase of 10% per annum over twenty years, rates will double in about eight years and triple in roughly twelve years.

After twenty years they will have increased sixfold.

What was it that Barr and Gallagher denied during the election?

And that’s assuming the increase is only 10%. Some of those who scoffed at the Liberals’ “scare campaign” might have cause for reflection when they get this year’s rates notice, and next year’s etc. etc. I think there will be surprises for quite a few, which will arrive around the same time they are coming to terms with rather diminished expectations for Canberrans under a new federal government.

I’ll agree that maths is not my strong point but taking a base figure of $1000 (admittedly, a very low figure) and increasing it 10% for 20 years gives a figure in excess of $6000.

One has to wonder how retirees are supposed to afford to live when paying such exorbitant amounts? Especially with the huge increases in energy bills, water bills, etc?

Indeed, one must also wonder how young couples new into the market will also be able to pay such bills?

Exactly – but the whole point, of course, is that retirees are supposed to get out of their homes in increasingly desirable surburbs, move to townhouses or apartments in less desirable suburbs (and end up paying more in rates and body corporate than hitherto) so that their houses can be replaced by over-priced apartments and town houses. Young couples (and singles, for that matter), unless they happen to be well up the feeding chain, can try Queanbeyan, Goulburn etc. etc. – as long as they can find a way to get to Canberra 5/6/7 days a week to their bit for the elites who run this town.

HiddenDragon11:39 am 05 Jun 13

I’m not sure if I’m perfectly correct but it would appear that, under this budget with an increase of 10% per annum over twenty years, rates will double in about eight years and triple in roughly twelve years.

After twenty years they will have increased sixfold.

What was it that Barr and Gallagher denied during the election?

And that’s assuming the increase is only 10%. Some of those who scoffed at the Liberals’ “scare campaign” might have cause for reflection when they get this year’s rates notice, and next year’s etc. etc. I think there will be surprises for quite a few, which will arrive around the same time they are coming to terms with rather diminished expectations for Canberrans under a new federal government.

Plans to upgrade Ashley Drive haven’t fallen off the agenda yet… that’s about all I was looking for.

Will the Libs come out and say what cuts they think should be made in order to bring the budget back to surplus? Its all easy to say ‘dont spend so much’, not easy to say ‘you over there will lose all your funding’

miz said :

Little for Tuggeranong, as per usual. Lanyon in particular is very neglected. No library, few buses, poor maintenance of infrastructure, yet higher rates once again. I thought they might have learned something from the election, but it seems not. Still not listening.

miz said :

Just saw CT – it is completely unacceptable to count expenditure on things like the tip expansion, the gaol, etc as money for Tuggeranong! We have really been dudded.

Is Tuggeranong part of the ACT? But they need their own radio frequency, surely thats enough.

miz said :

Just saw CT – it is completely unacceptable to count expenditure on things like the tip expansion, the gaol, etc as money for Tuggeranong! We have really been dudded.

Fair go there – Andrew Barr is going to fix up the adventure playground at Kambah.

Now with more responses!

miz said :

Little for Tuggeranong, as per usual. Lanyon in particular is very neglected. No library, few buses, poor maintenance of infrastructure…

5mins to Tuggeranong Library, 20mins to the Nash. For a valley where the demographic doesn’t seem to into all that fancy book learn’n, that’s not bad.

What infrastructure maintenance do you refer to specifically?

Just saw CT – it is completely unacceptable to count expenditure on things like the tip expansion, the gaol, etc as money for Tuggeranong! We have really been dudded.

Little for Tuggeranong, as per usual. Lanyon in particular is very neglected. No library, few buses, poor maintenance of infrastructure, yet higher rates once again. I thought they might have learned something from the election, but it seems not. Still not listening.

HiddenDragon10:55 pm 04 Jun 13

The overall Budget strategy seems to be based on the assumption that Abbott will be a oncer as PM, and that even if he lasts longer, his bark will prove to be somewhat worse than his bite.

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