Page 3643 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 22 November 2022
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
making sure that things are done properly: “Let’s make sure that we have a greater say in making sure we are supporting the projects that matter and there has been a thorough analysis.” That would be an honourable thing if it were not applied selectively! Where was all this rigour and request for a business case and a cost-benefit analysis and being transparent and upfront with the public about stage 2 of the light rail?
The fact is that the Greens are ideologically wedded to the tram whether or not it stacks up. So, whilst it is great to hear Ms Clay talking about, “Hey, let’s look at these projects and let us make sure we do all of the work and due diligence,” let’s make sure that is applied across the board. I think that that part of here contribution would have a lot more credibility if that were the case.
Mr Steel says all the right words, does he not? He says all of the right words, as is always the case when it comes to this Labor-Greens government. He said that it was about making sure that we fund “the right projects at the right time”. He also said that it is about clear deliverables and clear benefits and—with a straight face, even—he said, “Let’s not waste taxpayer money.”
All the words are there, but it is absolute and utter rubbish from this minister, who is stuck in complete paralysis when it comes to being upfront and transparent with the community so that we can all make an informed decision that it is indeed the right project at the right time, that it indeed has clear deliverables and that it does indeed have clear benefits. Despite years and years of the Canberra Liberals pleading with this minister to be upfront, to be transparent and to be accountable to the public about stage 2, until now, this minister has been absolutely unwilling or unable to do so. So it is all hypocrisy—and, once again, no surprises from a Labor-Greens government that are the experts at trying to gaslight the community.
When we are talking about the federal funding that was allocated to these road projects, it is all good now for the minister to turn around and say, “Hey it was all pork, and we never ever supported this,” but why did he not speak up at the time? That is literally his job. He had the great privilege of being around that negotiating table. But, instead, what we got was a big smile standing for the photo op to say, “Hey, we welcome this co-funding arrangement from the Australian government.” So it is about making things up as they go, and the Canberra community is not buying it.
We have industry raising serious concerns about the cancellation of important road projects, which will risk 773 local jobs and $250 million for the local economy, and we have local residents—including in your electorate of Brindabella, Mr Deputy Speaker—raising concerns. Ms Lawder pointed out some of the concerns that she has heard from locals, and I have heard from local residents in Molonglo about the importance of these road upgrades. We have been contacted by parents and family members of those that have died on our roads this year. Road safety is a great concern and priority.
When you have a government that is so wedded to this tram that it absolutely refuses to see any other possible benefits of any other projects, you know that it is a government that is not making decisions in the best interests of Canberrans. This is a government that has long lost its way and became out-of-touch with the Canberra
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video