Page 218 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 12 May 1992
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The policy of integrating public and private housing is one that successive governments in the ACT have followed, from the early Commonwealth days. It is a mark of Canberra town planning that there are no public housing suburbs and no suburbs without any public houses at all. In most streets in Canberra you cannot tell what is a public house and what is a private house. So it will remain under this Government; and I am confident that the Liberals would want it to remain so, because I could not believe that the Liberals would associate themselves with that type of comment.
I am pleased to be able to advise members that the principal of Raine and Horne, the company involved, has written to me, dissociating himself from the reported comments and saying that he endorses the policy of the ACT Government on integration of government and private sector housing throughout the community. He says that he has observed the policy first-hand in the suburb in which he lives, and I am sure that many of us observe it first-hand in the suburbs or streets in which we live. Mr Smith, of Raine and Horne, goes on to say:
I believe that the success of the current policy is evident for all to see.
I hope that it is a policy that would be endorsed by all members.
Disallowed Question
MR MOORE: My question is directed to Ms Ellis, as chair of the Social Policy Committee. Youth unemployment was a major issue during the election campaign. In February this year, the Chief Minister, Rosemary Follett, expressed her concern over the lack of policy proposals by either of the major parties on the issue of unemployment. To date, there has been no public indication of any proposed action by either the Labor Party or the Liberal Party. During the election campaign, the Labor and Liberal parties referred to youth unemployment as one of the major tasks that they would address once in government. Some weeks ago, my colleague Helen Szuty indicated that she would raise this issue when the Social Policy Committee met. Has your committee discussed the possibility of taking on youth unemployment as a reference, and what was the result of that discussion?
Mr Berry: On a point of order, Madam Speaker: This matter is already listed on the notice paper for discussion, and it strikes me that the question might well be out of order.
MADAM SPEAKER: Yes, it does seem to be anticipating business that is on the notice paper. I will speak to the Clerk.
I believe that to anticipate an MPI is not out of order; but, Mr Moore, I would ask you to repeat the question because I believe that in that question you will be asking for information that is confidential to that committee. Could we hear the question again, please?
MR MOORE: Certainly, Madam Speaker. I do not believe that that is the case, because the presiding member has the ability to answer whatever question she likes on a matter within the committee. The question is: Has the committee discussed the possibility of taking on youth unemployment as a reference, and what was the result of that discussion? If she does not want to answer the question, Madam Speaker - if I can respond to the possible point of order - - -
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