Katy Gallagher has an endless capacity to surprise.
This morning she’s announced that the ACT is getting an “ACT Women’s Micro-credit Program” in the style of the Grameen Bank.
- “The program here in Canberra will provide opportunities for local women on low incomes to increase their economic independence and reduce social security dependency.”
Ms Gallagher said the ACT Government would begin working in partnership with community organisations later this year to disperse the loans.
Now don’t get me wrong, my heart is as warmed by third world micro-finance programs as anyone. Heck I’ve loaned money in the Kiva program myself.
But I do wonder if our banking system is so broken, and our women so discriminated against in the ACT that we need something like this here? Or is this just proof that the Labor Government has finally reduced us to third world status?
(I also note that the micro-finance schemes operated to wild applause around the world are not Government operated.)