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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 8 Hansard (27 June) . . Page.. 2244 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

(c) employment impacts;

(d) the appropriate level of retail space;

(e) remission of betterment and other incentives to assist with the revitalisation of neighbourhood shopping centres;

(f) shopping centre management;

(g) rent inequities;

(h) domination of the market by large retailers; and

(j) any other related matter;

(3) a moratorium be instituted, unless the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment agrees to specific proposals, on the expansion of any retail space in town centres other than Gungahlin until such time as the Committee has reported.

Mr Speaker, the Greens are calling for an inquiry into retail policy in the ACT because we need a strategic plan in this area. We too often see reactive policy decisions which are often ad hoc and fragmented. We hear all members of this place make broad claims of sympathy for social justice, equity, access, environmental sustainability, and a just or civil society. We hear that from all members of this place. We need more than rhetoric. We need more than outcome statements. We need a plan of how to get there, which requires a full understanding of the factors involved. If we believe the retail sector is important in the overall cultural character of a city, then we obviously have to keep a close watch on what is happening there. From what I have heard people in this place say, they do seem to think the retail sector is of significance in the overall character of a city.

When we look at the terms of reference of the committee we are proposing, we are looking at issues such as the current retail hierarchy; the Government proposals as outlined in Striking a Balance; employment impacts; the appropriate level of retail space; remission of betterment and other incentives to assist with the revitalisation of neighbourhood shopping centres; shopping centre management; rent inequities; domination of the market by large retailers; and any other related matter. I would have thought all those issues were of great interest to people in this place, if I am to believe what I have been listening to for the last 15 months.

Over the last few years it has become obvious that there are problems with the retail hierarchy. It has fallen apart. With the repeated failure of governments to put in place any strategy for our retail market, the plan has been put in place for us by developers and large chains. Yes, they are the ones deciding how our city will look - the nationals and the multinationals and the big developers. If this is not what we want, we need to create

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