Page 1223 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 4 May 2022
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amenities, and I will continue to speak up for that. The people of Florey have a lot of knowledge to share in the community consultation process, and it would be great if they were given that opportunity. I look forward to providing continued support to these residents and others in my electorate of Ginninderra and promoting a holistic approach to planning for this popular shopping, educational and professional services precinct, and of others in Ginninderra.
I bring this up today to convey that Labor and the Greens do not seem to care much about community needs and consultation. Elizabeth Kikkert, my colleague in Ginninderra, and I are working very hard on the community’s behalf.
Florey shops—amenities
India-Australia Association of Canberra—50th anniversary
MS CHEYNE (Ginninderra—Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Business and Better Regulation, Minister for Human Rights and Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (4.49): I need to respond to Mr Cain’s comments, because they are wrong. I think it is worth correcting the record here, and I acknowledge that Minister Steel is in the chamber.
Building a toilet at the Florey shops was an ACT Labor election commitment to be delivered in this term of parliament. I know that because I personally advocated for it. I was very pleased that we were able to confirm that it was an election commitment to be delivered in this term of parliament. We are in this term of parliament. That does not mean it has failed to be delivered. That is just ridiculous.
Mr Cain should well know that there has been very active discussion in the community over the last few weeks because that consultation on the site for the toilet block has started. It has started, necessarily, with the tenants at the shops. I have also had it separately confirmed that there will be community consultation, but it is being done in a staged way, and Florey Neighbourhood Watch will certainly be part of that. I confirmed that to the community at the beginning of April.
For Mr Cain to come in here and say that it is a failed commitment is simply wrong. It completely misrepresents the situation. I would almost say that he should withdraw, because it is just not what is happening here. To make a political point out of something that is literally being delivered shows that he is having to grasp at straws to find something to speak about regarding his electorate.
On other matters, I want to take a moment this evening to acknowledge and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the India-Australia Association of Canberra, which I know is known to many of us and has been for a long time—50 years, in fact. It is currently helmed by someone who has boundless energy and enthusiasm for the Indian community, the Canberra community, and for taking action; that is, Sandi Mitra.
The IAAC, as it is known, has worked tirelessly over the past 50 years to promote understanding, and to promote an appreciation of the cultures and friendship of India and Australia.
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