Page 2481 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 14 November 1989
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service town. If this MFP project were established here, I think it would help to dispel that myth.
I also see the idea of a centralised high-tech medical research centre as a major step towards the improved future health of the Australian people. I might add that this type of project will not only attract professionals from other parts of Australia but also draw people from all over the world. Another important aspect is the very fast train proposal and possibly the upgrading of the Canberra airport. There is no doubt that, again, these two projects will bring in more jobs to this area and go a long way towards lowering the unemployment rate.
Mr Speaker, there are some negative aspects that need to be addressed and perhaps clarified with regard to the MFP. One of them is the fact that some people argue that a project like the multifunction polis is not needed in Australia. We already have high-technology centres in Australia, they say, and they also argue that it will promote social separation so that a number of privileged, educated and wealthy people will be able to participate and live in such sophisticated surroundings while the disadvantaged and poor will continue to live in substandard conditions.
I am positive that the feasibility study is investigating every aspect that may affect our society, and I have great confidence that the right decisions will be made. Overall, I think that this is a major project that will benefit greatly the ACT, especially our children. Their future lies in our hands, and the decisions we make will affect the future of their society. Mr Speaker, I firmly believe that the onus is not only on the Government but also on all groups represented in this Assembly to make sure that the ACT has a chance to participate in the development of the multifunction polis, the city of the future.
MR MOORE (3.44): Mr Speaker, I have heard a number of speakers saying what a wonderful concept the multifunction polis is. In general terms I agree with them, but there have been very, very few negatives put. Mr Duby presented some of those and then immediately argued them away. So I feel that it is most appropriate that I draw attention to some of the problems rather than join the others in singing the praises of the thing, because that would only be reiterating.
That is not to say that I do not find the project particularly exciting in some ways - I do, and I think it has great possibilities - but the way the paper is written and some of the things presented cause some concern. The first one to which I draw attention is on page 12 where it is stated:
The NSW education concept is built largely around the research element, and this can be developed further to include - in the first instance - ACT
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