Page 1605 - Week 05 - Thursday, 2 June 2022
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Canberra Liberals’ enthusiasm to see a forgiveness of this debt had been more public comments prior to the election, as opposed to having one singular policy solution to the problem. Perhaps things might have been different. But we are where we are now. I am pleased to see federal allies on the question and I am pleased to see that the Chief Minister will continue to do what he does and make those representations federally.
To end on a good note, where Mr Parton and I might find a unity ticket, I trust it will be Mr Parton and me finely poring over, line by line, future territory budgets. Imagine, Mr Assistant Speaker, if the federal government forgives that debt. Today’s motion will be successful, it appears, and therefore we will expect to see additional investments in public housing, beyond the already very ambitious commitments between the Greens and Labor in the parliamentary and governing agreement.
Mr Parton: You would have done it; you would have achieved it.
MR DAVIS: I hope that, as an opposition MLA, Mr Parton will join me in working through those budget papers in future years to make sure that that additional investment bears fruit. Mr Parton, I am not sure if you are trying to insult me, but you are failing because I do not think there is a single person in our electorate, even those who do not like me—
Mr Parton: On a point of order: I am just wondering if the member could address his conversation through the chair?
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mr Cain): Address the chair; thank you, Mr Davis.
MR DAVIS: Absolutely, Mr Assistant Speaker. My apologies. Mr Assistant Speaker, through you, I do wonder whether, in Mr Parton’s contribution to the debate, his attempt was to insult me. Can I, through you, Mr Assistant Speaker, inform Mr Parton that he is indeed mistaken. No doubt there are people in our shared constituency, Mr Parton, who do not like you and they like me. There are those that do not like me and they like you, and vice versa. But I do not think even my worst critic would hate the fact that I bring ideas to the chamber and that I propose issues of public policy for debate.
I bring issues to the chamber that force all three parties and a diversity of members to broadcast their views on the question. I utilise the tools available to me as a member, sitting where I sit, to engage in the committee process, to put motions to government, to sponsor petitions et cetera. I am really struggling to find why that is a bad thing, when you have just aptly described what should be our job description for all 25 of us. I am pretty pleased with the job I am doing. But you can always do better, so I appreciate the feedback. I always willingly invite feedback. In fact, every Friday morning from nine to 12 I am at my electorate office. Jindebah coffee is the best coffee in town. I thought I would take the opportunity for a bit of a shout-out there.
It is really fortunate that in the first sitting week immediately after the federal election campaign we have increased the Canberra Liberals’ housing policies by 100 per cent. I think that is tremendous. I look forward to members of the Canberra Liberals opposition joining us in writing to the new federal government, sharing our motion,
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