THE 2020/21 ACT Budget announcement has been postponed until later in the financial year. 

The announcement, made by Chief Minister Andrew Barr today (March 20), follows a discussion and unanimous agreement at the National Cabinet where governments around Australia also agreed to delay their annual budgets.

“As the Prime Minister Scott Morrison has noted, it is not possible to develop and set out fiscal and economic strategies for the full year,” says Mr Barr.

“The economic impact of the National Cabinet’s response to the pandemic will continue to change, and governments will need to act as quickly as possible.”

But, Mr Barr says this decision will not impact on the ongoing delivery of government services, or the government’s ability to pay the salaries of staff.

“Through the supply provisions contained within the Financial Management Act and future Appropriation Bills, the ACT government will ensure we have the financial capacity to continue providing economic stimulus in response to the spread of COVID-19 across the country,” he says.

“How the nation responds to the COVID-19 pandemic will profoundly change the way of life we have come to expect. The decisions being made at the National Cabinet level are not easy. There are often no risk-free responses, and there are many competing priorities to balance.”