THE Labor government says it is “stepping up to invest in Canberra” in its Budget for the coming financial year, which was delivered in the Legislative Assembly this afternoon (May 4) by Treasurer and Chief Minister Andrew Barr.

The government says: “The Federal coalition government has not invested in Canberra over the past six years. The ACT has received just 0.8 per cent of national infrastructure funding during the coalition’s last two terms, despite our strong and consistent population growth.

“With the coalition having just been returned for a further term in government, there is little prospect of this situation changing any time soon. But with Canberra growing by around 8000 people a year, we cannot allow local services and infrastructure to fall behind as our community continues to grow.”

The government points its already announced initiatives – the new SPIRE Centre at the Canberra Hospital, building two new schools in Gungahlin and getting on with Stage 2 of light rail – as building for the future.

Beyond that, the government has announced investment in growing early intervention and social services to help tackle the causes of “stubborn disadvantage and see Canberra continue becoming even more inclusive”.

“We aren’t going to ask the community to pay for these upfront through higher taxes or more fees and charges,” the government says.

“We will use the ACT’s balance sheet to get on with this important work because it needs to happen now. If we fall behind with building our schools, hospitals and social infrastructure, Canberrans will pay the price as our city continues to grow.”