Page 248 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 30 May 1989
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That the Assembly takes note of the following paper:
Executive's objectives and program -
Ministerial statement, 11 May 1989
MR JENSEN (4.10): Mr Speaker, before commencing my inaugural speech, I would like on behalf of my Rally colleages to offer our condolences to Mr Whalan on his sad family loss today.
Like many of my colleagues who have already spoken in this debate - and it has taken me a while to get around to it - in reply to the Chief Minister, I would also like to congratulate her on her appointment. I am sure, Mr Speaker, that she will insist quite rightly that her new status as the first woman to lead a State government in Australia was achieved after much hard work - a fact of which the Chief Minister reminded us during our discussions prior to 11 May 1989. For example, we received a specific reminder that one does not rise to the dizzy heights of leader of the Australian Labor Party in the ACT without some ability, a fact that I am also sure will not be lost on our own parliamentary colleagues.
However, Mr Speaker, despite this, I feel it is important to remind the Government that as a minority government, it will have to be on its mettle. I will, however, repeat the public and private assurances given to the Chief Minister by my leader Bernard Collaery that, while the Rally will not be deliberately obstructive, we will seek to implement as many of the Rally policies as we are able to during the term of this Assembly, a responsibility that we owe those who supported the Rally on 4 March. The Government can rest assured that the Rally will continue to build on this strong support base of involved community groups, advisers and individuals and ensure that all sectors of the Canberra community, from the central business district to the frontier suburbs of Tuggeranong, will have an opportunity for a say in how our city is to be governed.
Many of you will no doubt recall that the Rally ran a disciplined campaign and our performance since 4 March has shown that we have been able to maintain these skills and will continue to develop them even further during the months and years ahead. Despite the wishes of some who would hope otherwise, the Rally is here to stay. We may be new to the business of politics, but we are learning very quickly.
I am in no doubt that I speak for my Rally colleagues in this place as well as those of my colleagues who were unsuccessful on 4 March in formally acknowledging the support given to us by those who have allowed the four of us to reach this position of trust and responsibility. The Rally welcomes the opportunity to be able to participate in this historic Assembly. It is important that we as a group of citizens, and I talk collectively, appointed by our peers to manage our city on their behalf ensure that this Assembly runs its full term.
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