The 2020/21 ACT Budget is to be delayed in line with other States and Territories as the nation battles to control the spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19.
Chief Minister, Andrew Barr said the decision to postpone the Budget followed discussion at a recent National Cabinet meeting where the proposal received unanimous support.
“Consistent with this national approach, the 2020/21 ACT Budget will be postponed,” Mr Barr said.
“Governments around Australia are delaying their annual budgets until later in the financial year.”
He said that through the supply provisions contained within the Financial Management Act, the Government would ensure the ACT had the financial capacity to continue providing economic stimulus in response to the spread of COVID-19.
“This decision will not impact on the ongoing delivery of Government services, or the Government’s ability to pay the salaries of our staff,” Mr Barr said.
“As the Prime Minister has noted, it is not possible to develop and set out fiscal and economic strategies for the full year,” he said.
“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.”
He said Australia’s response to the pandemic would profoundly change Australians’ way of life.
“The decisions being made at the National Cabinet level are not easy,” Mr Barr said.
“There are often no risk-free responses, and there are many competing priorities to balance.”
He said work would continue among State, Territory and Commonwealth Governments on what measures were necessary to help businesses survive, support households and protect as many jobs as possible.
“This will be a priority in the ACT Government’s multi-staged economic response,” Mr Barr said.
