Page 1671 - Week 08 - Thursday, 28 September 1989
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
keen to set up its operations here in Canberra. However, what did it find when it got here? It found a myriad of red tape, confusion, and problems associated with seeking to get this particular business enterprise established. The company looked at two other areas in Australia - at Campbelltown and Albury-Wodonga. That particular company ended up going to Albury-Wodonga because it very quickly eliminated the ACT as a suitable area in which to operate.
Mr Whalan: Give us the name.
MR JENSEN: I will in due course, Mr Whalan. The other case was that of a businessman who spoke to us at a meeting. It was not just members of the Rally who were present at this meeting; there were other members there, including, I recall, Mr Wood. At that meeting this businessman indicated to us that he had set up business in the ACT, but golly it was hard and tough; it was a long, rough row to hoe through the various bureaucracies and he would never go through that again.
That is the sort of thing, Mr Speaker, which the Rally trusts the Government's program in this area, which we support, will address. For that reason - the need to develop this area as a vibrant regional centre - the Rally supports the increased budget allocation to tourist promotion. However, there is one very important factor in relation to promotions, any promotions of any sort. There is not much point in pouring thousands and thousands of dollars down the drain without making sure how effective that particular program and policy might be. The Rally would hope and trust that the Tourism Commission would look very carefully at its program for assessing the effectiveness of the various programs and promotions that it has to bring people to this city of ours.
Mr Speaker, I return to the underlying concern the Rally has about capital works and business proposals - that is, that all such alterations to the built environment in the ACT should be preceded by proper planning processes. We have heard much from the Government about the need for proper planning processes and proper community consultation. However, I searched and I searched in vain in the budget papers for any proposals, any money, or any funds being set aside for a planning appeals tribunal. I looked in the section on the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, which I understand the Chief Minister is suggesting may be an area where it could go, but there was no provision there for allocation for that organisation. Nothing at all. So, one has to wonder, Mr Speaker, when this appeals planning proposal is set up, where the Chief Minister is going to find the money to establish it.
The Rally, Mr Speaker, as my colleague Mr Collaery has already said, is deeply concerned about the number of programs that come under the auspices of the Minister for Industry, Employment and Education. We are not opposed in any way to the legitimate aims of construction contractors,
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .