Page 4654 - Week 15 - Thursday, 21 November 1991
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some important aspects, notably the renewal of leases and one or two other areas. I am pleased to say that the view the Liberal Party took during the drafting stage was enlightened and sensible, particularly on the appeals prospects.
I do not think it would be fair to say that there were overt developer instincts emanating in any way from elements in the Alliance Government, until the fateful couple of weeks before the Government fell on the issue of commercial leases. We worked together to bring this together and at that time, to their credit, the Liberal Party read the numbers and did not press for a perpetual lease system or freehold. What they would do, were they ever to get power in their own right, might be another matter; but in the Alliance Government they worked towards improving the Canberra leasehold system.
Finally, I commend as a sort of benchmark reference point the momentous report commissioned by the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the ACT from Professor Max Neutze of the Urban Research Unit of the Australian National University and entitled The Canberra Leasehold System. That historic document represents the optimal statement, in my view, of what the Seat of Government Act intended for the Territory in terms of the land New South Wales gave to the Federation to be held in good stewardship for future Canberrans. I trust that this Bill will continue that ethic.
Debate (on motion by Mr Berry) adjourned.
Sitting suspended from 12.20 to 2.30 pm
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Absence of Chief Minister
MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, as members are aware, the Chief Minister is representing the Territory at a meeting of Premiers and Chief Ministers in Adelaide. Questions that normally would be directed to the Chief Minister should therefore be directed to me.
Mr Kaine: We are going to get absolutely no answers on a few questions today.
MR BERRY: If there is any more levity, all ministerial questions will be directed to me.
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