[Greens-Media] Secret review slavishly followed in inadequate budget

[Manderson, Roland]

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ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey MEDIA RELEASE
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Tues 22 Aug 06



Secret review slavishly followed in inadequate budget


ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey has argued that the ACT budget for 2006/07 cannot be passed.

"The ACT Government's budget appears to have been drawn up according to the recommendations of the secret Functional Review. But it has failed to properly consider the impact of those changes" Dr Foskey said today.

"There has not been enough time for Government to subject the Functional Review report to the critical scrutiny needed - it appears to have adopted its recommendations holus-bolus."

"Consequently, this budget is not a strategic document.  It is an exercise in cost cutting that will have unknown impact on the quality of life in Canberra well into the future." 

"If the Functional Review had been released for expert and community response, and the Government was prepared to move a little more slowly, this budget could have been the first step toward more effective and progressive government."

"However, it has become clear that no real social or environmental impact analysis has been undertaken on Government proposals."

"In the rush to get the pain out of the way perhaps, this budget is likely to do some irreparable damage."

"The ACT Greens cannot support it" Dr Foskey said.

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Roland Manderson   Media Advisor
ACT   Greens    MLA  Deb  Foskey  
Legislative Assembly for the ACT 
ph(02)62050551      m 0412241379
====== www.debfoskey.com ======= 
  
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