Page 2532 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 15 November 1989
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community groups thought they had pretty well tied up until the decision was taken to remove the NCDC and leave a vacuum in the planning area. It would appear that there is no will to get on with the job or make decisions necessary for the development of the ACT.
However, let me say right now that this proposal does not provide the answer, not even on an interim basis. If, as the proposal seems to suggest, it should be a permanent advisory body, it is way outside the general guidelines that we have seen for planning and development in the ACT. This proposal takes the question of development applications out of the public arena where they belong and provides an opportunity for decisions to be made behind closed doors.
In closing, Mr Speaker, let me remind the Assembly of two of the key principles on which the Rally sought a mandate from the residents of Canberra. We said that a vote for the Rally would enable them to claim their right to:
. open planning decisions - no secret deals,
and
. responsible development in harmony with the environment.
I am sure that these two principles are well remembered by Mr Moore, and it is unfortunate that this proposal would move away from them. It is for this reason that the Rally is unable to support this motion.
Debate (on motion by Mr Collaery) adjourned.
UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
MR STEVENSON (11.20): Mr Speaker, I move:
That the Assembly calls -
(1) upon the Federal Government to defer signing or progressing the UN convention on the rights of the child;
(2) for full public and parliamentary debate on all UN conventions; and
(3) on the Chief Minister to convey to the Prime Minister the concern of this Assembly that laws purporting to be for the peace, welfare and good government of the citizens of Canberra are being proposed and made other than through debate and due parliamentary process of the ACT Assembly.
This is a matter of grave concern to the rights of our children in Canberra and Australia; the right to a decent, law-abiding upbringing without undue interference by legislation that prevents parental control. Let me indicate that a convention, first of all, is basically the
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