Page 76 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 24 May 1989
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Gungahlin. All of these must be addressed, and the city plan must be developed quickly.
I know there are those who do not wish to see Canberra grow. Unfortunately, Canberra could not be retained as it was in 1969 or 1979, nor can it be frozen as it is in 1989, much as we may wish it to be so. Our task is to ensure that the future growth of Canberra is properly planned, as past growth generally has been, and that development is controlled, orderly and acceptable. We have a responsibility not only to ourselves but also to the entire Australian community to retain standards appropriate to the national capital and seat of government. We must balance the needs and aspirations of this community with those of the wider one.
The ACT Liberals are sensitive to these requirements and will work for beneficial growth. The ACT Liberals are also mindful of the ever-increasing level of crime in Canberra. Legislation is needed to increase police powers in certain areas to enable police to do their job effectively. The rights of victims need to be considered and the effect of crimes on victims should be brought to the notice of the courts. The question of adequacy of sentencing needs review, as does the question of the physical staffing requirements of the ACT Supreme Court and the Magistrates Court.
In short, the Liberals in opposition will work assiduously for the maintenance and enhancement of the physical, economic and social well-being of this community.
The minority Labor-No Self Government Party coalition Government will find us to be an aggressive opposition. We will use question time fully to ensure that Ministers are accountable through this Assembly to the people. We will debate and question all legislation brought to the Assembly by the Government and will permit no excessive measures to pass. Legislation favouring any one sectional interest at the expense of another can be expected to have a difficult passage. Moderation must be the Government's guide. We will seek, while in opposition, to sponsor those parts of our policy agenda which we would expect a reasonable government to accept.
As with any opposition in any parliament, we will seek to secure the government benches. To achieve this, over time, we will seek to discuss, despite yesterday's events, with other opposition parties those differences of policy and philosophy which currently separate us. Our aim will be to replace this minority Labor Government with a strong majority government welding together the strengths and talents of all the parties represented here who are willing to participate. When that is achieved we will invite Labor in opposition to join with us in an all-party cooperative type of government, as I have previously advocated, appropriate to the special circumstances of Canberra and the ACT.
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