Page 4002 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 1 December 2021
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We have delivered a comprehensive education strategy, which will bring out the best in every child. We have passed Australian-first stealthing legislation. We advocated for laws to strengthen bail conditions to keep frontline police safe. We released an exposure draft for legislation to strengthen domestic violence laws, which prompted the government into action on these reforms. We secured $80 million worth of funding for maintenance of public housing through continued advocacy and lobbying on behalf of housing tenants.
We have legislated for dementia-friendly design in the age-friendly city plan. We called out and continue to call out unacceptable and hurtful incidents of racism in our community. We have advocated and continue to advocate for our hardworking frontline officers in our health professionals, police, corrections and teachers. We have stood up for our business community and advocated for and delivered on sensible changes to restrictions on border and non-essential retail during lockdown. Importantly, we have worked with the ACT government to support the COVID-19 pandemic health response.
Since October last year my team and I have spoken to tens of thousands of Canberrans, and the message they have for us is crystal clear: they want a government that is compassionate, one that works hard for them and puts them first. We have listened, and we have brought these issues to the Legislative Assembly, raising concerns about the rising cost of living, poverty, the plight of our businesses during the lockdown, and real concerns about some of our most vulnerable Canberrans, including those in our prison system.
There are a number of issues that we were able to work with the government on, including territory rights, sexual assault reform and, most recently, ensuring a commitment for all public sector employees to access miscarriage leave.
This is only the beginning of what the Canberra Liberals will achieve over the next three years and beyond. We have demonstrated time and time again that, whilst we will continue to hold the government to account, we will always look at initiatives, proposals and policies on their merits and support anything that is in the best interests of the community, because it will always be about putting Canberra first.
To all the officers of the Assembly—the Clerk’s office, committee office, chamber support, our attendants, cleaners, library team, HR, finance and Hansard—thank you for supporting us to carry out our duty in representing the people of Canberra. To all the ACT public servants that diligently prepare answers to our questions on notice and FOI requests, we know it is not always easy, and I thank you for your ongoing professionalism and commitment to serving the people of Canberra.
To my Canberra Liberals Assembly colleagues—Giulia, Jeremy, Mark, Nicole, Elizabeth, Leanne, Peter and James—thank you for your continued trust in me to lead our team. We are a strong, united team that are growing each and every day and I am very proud of each and every one of you and your teams. Next year will be even bigger and better.
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