Page 159 - Week 02 - Thursday, 25 May 1989
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the event that the issue remains divisive in the Assembly it would be resolved by a referendum.
I do not want to speak at great length on this motion. My colleagues Mr Moore and Dr Kinloch have already covered large areas. I trust that those of us who have expressed our concerns about this issue will vote to ensure that this Assembly is given an opportunity to look at all the issues relating to all aspects of a casino.
I refer, Mr Speaker, to comments by Mr Berry in relation to employment. The Rally is not, as has been claimed, against providing good, solid employment for the people of Canberra.
Mr Whalan: Nonsense!
MR JENSEN: We are very concerned to ensure that long-term employment is our aim. Members on the Government benches, Mr Speaker, can howl as long as they like, but it is true that the Rally is firmly committed to the development of good policy. That is one of the reasons in relation to employment why we strongly support a clear consideration of all the aspects of the development of a project for the whole of the area within London Circuit, contrary to the assertions that the Deputy Chief Minister has been making in relation to jobs. What is more important is immediate jobs that he is referring to or a proposal that provides for the long-term development of the city in a way appropriate to our national capital - a national capital that we hold in trust on behalf of the rest of the people of this nation. It is our responsibility to ensure that this national capital is something of pride and something that we can be very pleased about when the rest of Australia comes to visit this beautiful city of ours.
I have no doubt that the majority of thinking trade unionists in Canberra would prefer long-term employment opportunities rather than the short-term gain that the Deputy Chief Minister is talking about today. As my colleague Mr Stefaniak said, if the Deputy Chief Minister was concerned about employment opportunity in this area, it is interesting to note that he was a chief adviser in relation to ACT matters for the Minister for Arts, Heritage and Environment, who was responsible for attempting to build a national museum in this city. It is unfortunate that that important facility was not able to be commenced in our very important bicentennial year.
Mr Speaker, I do not feel that I need to say anything more. I commend the motion to the members of the Assembly and I am sure we will see that it will be carried with a resounding majority.
MR DUBY (11.34): Mr Speaker, speaking as representative of the No Self Government Party, I would like to state at the outset that our group is neither firmly for nor against the casino. We regard it as a matter of conscience, and we
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