[Greens-Media] Costello review could mean anything

[Manderson, Roland]

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ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey MEDIA RELEASE
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Weds 03 May 06



Costello review could mean anything

In the light of claims that the ACT is on course for a $390m operating loss, ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey has described the case for the public release of the Functional Review of the ACT Public Service, in whole or in part, as overwhelming.

"A problem that will affect everyone needs to be understood by everyone, not just a few of the Government's business and union mates" Dr Foskey said today.

"And we can't trust the recommendations of Mr Costello's Review until we know the 'agreed Government priorities' that the entire report was to have regard to." 

"If we are to take this review seriously we need to know whether environmental and social concerns got as much attention as economic indicators." 

"We need to know if Mr Costello is advocating short term revenue sources, while ignoring long term costs.  We need to know what instructions were given to him, and we need to know what alternatives were considered and proffered by him and his team."  

"The ACT Government says it has to make substantial cuts to services in the June budget.   Before such far-reaching decisions are made, Canberra people should be brought into the debate, and given the relevant information."

"The Costello report will set the agenda for budget cuts. Without knowing the presumptions and methods used in the report, we cannot have confidence that the Government's responses are based on sound environmental, social and economic bases" 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.act.greens.org.au ===== 
  
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