00:02Independent economist Saul Esslake's first pass over the ACT budget books finding the
00:08Territory is in a poor financial position, relying too heavily on debt and not getting
00:13bang for buck on health and education.
00:16The ACT has unique circumstances that have been recognised by Saul Esslake, particularly
00:23in raising revenue and also servicing our unique community.
00:28Part of an assembly inquiry into the ACT's fiscal sustainability, Mr Esslake's 46-page
00:34interim report confirms a middle-of-the-packed position among states and territories, and
00:39finds policy decisions are entirely responsible for the deterioration in the ACT's fiscal
00:45position over the past decade.
00:48The Chief Minister counts expenses and revenue lost during COVID among contributors, along
00:53with voter-backed investments in health and education and so-called generational infrastructure
00:58like light rail.
01:00But Mr Esslake also finds the Territory ought to be able to spend less per capita on education
01:07and health, given a higher spend per person on public hospitals but poorer patient outcomes.
01:13It's as bad as we thought it would be.
01:15But the Canberra Liberals are hesitant to rein in spending by cancelling infrastructure commitments
01:20or reducing payroll tax exemptions.
01:23I am concerned about a suggestion that somehow we should be squeezing more money out of small
01:28business because they're doing it really, really hard.
01:30The ACT Greens are similarly cautious.
01:33We can't just slash and burn in the budget, but we do need to think about creating a more
01:38sustainable position.
01:40Mr Esslake is scheduled to provide his final report to the Assembly by the end of April.
01:45Mr Esslake is going to be the end of April.
01:46And, at the end of April, the day in April, the year the Daily Press was already
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