I know that many of my Senate colleagues understand as well as I do the kind of negative impact this will have on our community. The impact upon themselves, their person al morale and their families is devastating. These are the people at the front line of the government's harsh, dry political prescriptions, but they are not the only ones that will be affected. The quality of service delivery for every Australian in need will be compromised. It has been a long time since Canberra was a one-company town, but the private sector here is still very concerned about the impact of reduced government spending on our local economy.
Small businesses are particularly susceptible to reductions in consumer demand.
There is no doubt that the private sector is much stronger than it has been in the past and is innovative in promoting regional development opportunities. However, coupled with the proposed cuts in the area of Canberra's fastest growing private sector industry, it will be impossible to quarantine the loss of jobs. Canberra is a community as rich and diverse as any other Australian community. The fact that it is the nation's capital and home to the federal parliament is som ething we are proud of, not something we should be penalised or punished for. My job is to represent these people in a way that unites us rather than divides us.