Page 3042 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 5 December 1989
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only eight months ago. This is not the record of a moribund or inactive government. We have taken a positive approach to the many issues before us and, under the leadership of a capable and sensitive Chief Minister, have dedicated ourselves and our agencies to the achievement of goals which are well understood and supported by the ACT community.
We have undertaken the most far-reaching reorganisation of the administration of the Territory in its history and have done so in full consultation with the community. Furthermore, we have done so in a way which has strengthened the capabilities of our agencies, effected substantial productivity improvements, imbued the ACT government service with a productive culture and generated a high level of morale and commitment amongst the staff and management of our agencies.
All this has been achieved in an environment which supports and gives effect to the principles of social justice and equity for which the Australian Labor Party stands. We have respected our role as a minority government in this Assembly and have accepted our defeats. We have worked with all groups represented here and have sought to acknowledge the legitimate concerns of all, no matter how narrow their platforms.
It is ironic that a couple of paranoid political opportunists now seek to bring down a government at a time when their electoral support is rapidly waning. As recent polls so clearly show, there is no more popular politician in this city than Rosemary Follett. She has proven through thick and thin her leadership capacity. The motion of no confidence before us today is an act of contempt for good government and for a sagacious leader.
MR COLLAERY (5.32): I will be brief but I will respond to one or two matters. Mr Speaker, in order not to involve you in political debate, I will leave the subject of the approach to you to stand on the record as stated here in the Assembly this afternoon. I will make no further comment on that other than that the Rally does not resile from the facts as stated and, of course, completely rejects the notion which I think Moore put forward - in fact, he called it lies. The Rally completely rejects that notion. If ever there was an unplanned event it was this one. There is your answer. You did it and we responded.
We responded on principle and propriety, and you see the result here today. The Deputy Chief Minister has given a most eloquent speech. I was just thinking, if that had been the flavour of this Assembly from day one, then perhaps matters would have proceeded on a different plane. There is much in the Government's program that will no doubt be continued, and no doubt Mr Kaine will speak to that in due course, but the deficiencies as outlined on this side of the house have not really been responded to.
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