Page 2252 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 3 August 2022
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
I think Mr Parton is doing a good job for local constituents, but I think coming up with arbitrary time lines on negotiations is not a great idea, particularly when we have all just been through a very considered budget process. We understand how these decisions are made, and they are not made on the fly, so it would be unfortunate to unpick a rational budget position that has been made.
We are pleased to support this. We are looking forward to having better maintenance as a result, and we are really looking forward to a fair share of commonwealth funding for the ACT.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Manager of Government Business, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (11.51): I thank Mr Steel for the motion today, and I advise Mr Parton that the government will not be supporting his amendment. It would hardly give us a bargaining chip or a lever, if you like, in engagement with the commonwealth if the commonwealth knew that an amended motion meant that we were going to fund the upgrade anyway as the local government.
I am pleased that Mr Steel has been able to announce support for maintaining these particular roads. I have been involved in this particular part of our Brindabella electorate for quite some time, and it is great to see the ACT government embracing the opportunity to work proactively with the commonwealth to ensure that the needs of our community are met. The lack of funding for regional roads located in my electorate has been a long-term issue for our community, and I welcome the improvements that can be made.
Some of the particular examples of Boboyan Road and Brindabella Road demonstrate the issue. As you have heard, on the New South Wales side of the border these roads are classified as regional and therefore attract a much greater proportion of funding from the commonwealth; however, the same roads on the ACT side of the border are classified as urban. This approach is unequal, and it has disadvantaged our community for far too long.
I welcome Minister Steel’s motion and look forward to further engagement with the commonwealth to ensure that those regional areas of the ACT are not disadvantaged any more.
Amendment negatived.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Family Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
Debate resumed from 10 February 2022, on motion by Mr Rattenbury:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video