Page 61 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 7 April 1992
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The Canberra community perceived the First ACT Legislative Assembly as unstable, which was not surprising, given that three governments were formed during its life. Decisions on issues such as fluoridation and X-rated videos seemed to be governed more by personalities and ambitions than by the issues themselves. On the positive side, the committees of the First ACT Legislative Assembly appeared to work well. Many worthwhile ideas were explored through a cooperative process which produced well received reports on a wide range of issues.
Madam Speaker, we can learn from the members and experiences of the First ACT Legislative Assembly, retaining those aspects which were seen as important and successful while discarding those which were seen to be disruptive, unsuccessful and unworkable. By projecting an image of responsibility and stability we will improve our image with the Commonwealth Government and be seen to be an equal partner with the other States and the Northern Territory when the Premiers and Chief Ministers confer with the Prime Minister and representatives of the Federal Government.
Madam Speaker, I wish to turn now to the question of a future electoral system for the ACT. In the same election which saw all of us recently elected, the Canberra community also voted to endorse a Hare-Clark proportional representation electoral system for ACT elections in the future. As Assembly members we need to honour that vote by turning our attention to the implementation of this decision. The Australian Electoral Commission, whose members did such admirable work in organising and finalising the election, should be asked as quickly as possible to prepare legislation, and consider appropriate electoral boundaries and the numbers of members to be elected within those boundaries for our next election in 1995.
Madam Speaker, I now wish to turn my attention to planning matters. Canberra has always been a planned city, originally envisaged by Walter Burley Griffin and progressively developed in a sensible and coherent manner. It is through a visionary approach and strategic plan that we have gained the Canberra we have now. By planning to the year 2020 we accept the same challenge the planners of the early 1960s accepted when they formulated the decentralised town centres. We currently have an urban environment second to none in the world. We must build on this for the future and resist those who advocate that Canberra should become more like other Australian cities.
Canberra is also richly endowed with a highly educated population. It is important that the knowledge and skills that people have brought with them to this city and acquired in this city are fully utilised for the benefit of the whole community. In ensuring the continuation of a highly educated population, we must continue to provide a high-quality public education system for our children and young people; a public education system which continues to be free, compulsory and secular, accessible to all irrespective of their socioeconomic circumstances, gender, ethnicity, ability or belief, and which fully prepares young people for adult life and employment.
Canberra has been described many times as a city without a soul. As a resident of Canberra for 15 years, I dispute this view. Our planners have ensured that we live in a city with defined town centres, within defined regional boundaries and within defined local neighbourhoods. The heart of the Canberra community lives within neighbourhoods. Many individuals and families donate volunteer hours
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