Page 1797 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 8 June 2022
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Mr Barr: Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition just suggested that members of the government were “making up bullshit”. I do not think that is parliamentary. I heard it, and it should be withdrawn.
Ms Lee: First of all—
MADAM SPEAKER: Ms Lee, if you uttered those words, I ask for them to be withdrawn.
Ms Lee: I withdraw.
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you. I call Mr Gentleman.
MR GENTLEMAN: This stunt also shows that Ms Lee does not care about workers. She is attempting to filibuster in the hope that I will not introduce a bill that will make workplaces safer for Canberrans.
Ms Lee: He’s got a bill on the agenda. Wow!
MR GENTLEMAN: There is a whole lot of government business on the agenda that we are not getting to because of this. Unlike Ms Lee, Mr Steel does care about workers; he cares about all Canberrans. He works every day to improve our city, and he is a diligent and hardworking minister in the Barr government. I am proud to work alongside him. Minister Steel has led improvements in city services. He is delivering one of the largest urban tree projects, and he is working with our bus drivers and our other public servants to improve our city for the better.
Earlier this week he announced an addition of 40 new qualifications to help Canberrans to address the skill gaps in the renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and transport sectors. This builds on new training programs for electric and hydrogen vehicle mechanics. He has recently announced the signing of a contract regarding CIT Woden, making significant progress in the renewal of Woden. He has worked hard to ensure the opening of the Coombs community centre. Minister Steel is also making our city more sustainable by leading efforts to phase out plastics.
Minister Steel is doing all of this while improving amenity across our suburbs and overseeing the biggest infrastructure program in our city’s history, light rail—something that the Canberra Liberals still oppose. Ms Lee might have been hoping that we missed this yesterday. Well, we have not. It is another example of how Ms Lee is still the same old conservative Canberra Liberals leader.
We have one of the best public transport systems, yet those opposite continue to undermine the system and the hardworking Canberrans who help to keep our city moving. Madam Speaker, I will back Minister Steel and his record any day over that of Ms Lee and her rabble opposite. Let us vote down this stunt so that we can get on with the important business that is before the Assembly today.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
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