Page 1572 - Week 06 - Thursday, 3 May 1990
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In addition, once again we noticed that Mrs Grassby was out there flying the old kite about the sale of Northbourne Flats at the supposed behest of the Deputy Chief Minister. I think it has been proven beyond doubt time and time again from statements made by this Government that never have there been any proposals for the sale of Northbourne Flats. Once again it is the old story: if you say something often enough and loudly enough, people are going to start to believe you. That is just not an acceptable situation. I think that the people of the ACT and those in the gallery are starting to understand the tactics adopted by those on that side of the house. If you are going to say a lie, say a lie that is big enough and people will eventually start to believe you.
Mr Berry: You closed the Ainslie Transfer Station. You closed it.
MR DUBY: Do not start with little white ones; start with big ones.
Mr Berry: Hector knows you closed it.
MR DUBY: I never denied I did it. In addition, we have got this furphy being floated, that the sale of government housing stock is somehow part of the Chief Minister's proposal; that there is going to be a fire sale of government housing. Never have I heard such a load of twaddle. In my understanding, the Chief Minister has never given any such commitment. Undoubtedly, what we will be doing - and I am sure I can speak for the Government on this - is looking at ways of getting public tenants to obtain access to their own homes so they can have the joy and responsibility of sharing in the great Australian dream of owning a little piece of Australiana. This is something which runs totally contrary to the philosophies of those opposite, who are totally opposed to the concept of private ownership. Having put those furphies to rest, I shall get on with commenting on the Bill.
Mr Speaker, I am pleased to see that this Commonwealth-State housing agreement has been accepted by all in this house. The 1989 Commonwealth-State housing agreement sets the stage for significant improvements in the future provision of public housing throughout Australia. It is significant that the ACT is now a formal party to this nationally coordinated development which is something that I think all of us will agree was long overdue.
The new Commonwealth-State housing agreement keeps much of the context of the prior agreement which was developed through extensive consultation between the States and the Commonwealth in 1983, 1984 and again in 1987. Key changes to the new agreement involve the strengthening of the principles which govern the delivery of housing assistance and a fundamental restructuring of the financing of public housing.
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