Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 1 Hansard (28 April) . . Page.. 23 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

Another thing about the electorate of Brindabella is that we are absolutely blessed with so many assets in so many different areas that we must ensure, firstly, we protect them and, secondly, we use them in a way that creates jobs and builds a better society. In terms of heritage, we have everything from the Rose Cottage Inn to the old Catholic church, the old schoolhouse, the Tuggeranong Homestead and many more areas down there. In terms of scientific achievements, it is not recognised that, for instance, not only is Tidbinbilla in the electorate but also Orroral Valley and Honeysuckle Creek tracking stations are. But even more importantly, Lambrigg Station was the site of William Farrer's initial work on wheat.

There are a lot of things we can do to convince people that Canberra is not some sort of new creation. It behoves me as the new heritage Minister to ensure that we talk about this heritage. The early settlers got here in the 1830s and the 1840s, and we are lucky that there is still a significant amount of our pastoral heritage intact. We should protect that. We have significant environmental assets in the seat of Brindabella - the Murrumbidgee River Corridor, the Canberra Nature Park, leading out to the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and down to Namadgi. As environment Minister, I am very much aware of the need to protect and enhance those areas and ensure that we leave something much better for those that come after us.

There are indeed significant Aboriginal sites. Canberra, the nation's capital, was also a place of meeting for the indigenous inhabitants, and it is important that we always acknowledge and respect that there were some here before us. They have left their mark on the land, and it is important that we acknowledge that mark, not just on the land but on our own cultural psyche. Then we are blessed with some modern developments that have given us things like shopping centres, sporting facilities, recreational clubs - all sorts of things. What that gives us in Brindabella is significant assets that, used wisely and in a concerted effort to promote, will enable all the residents of Brindabella that I and four others here represent to have a better life.

I am not here today as a result of my own efforts. I am very lucky that I have a large family, a great number of friends and the support of the Liberal Party. I would like to thank all of those that have assisted me so that I am able to stand here today and make my inaugural speech. I wish to say to Louise Littlewood: Of all the people in politics in Australia today, I perhaps can understand best how you feel. Louise, thank you for your efforts on behalf of the people of Brindabella. I also came sort of mid-term into a parliament, had a year and then lost my seat. It is an interesting emotion. The old roller-coaster ride is, I think, a good analogy. Louise, on behalf of the people of Brindabella and on my own behalf, thank you for your efforts.

To the members of the Liberal Party who work long and hard and, indeed, members of all parties, whether it be Labor, Green or Independents, thank you. We all acknowledge the support of those who think as we do. I am very grateful to members of the Liberal Party for their efforts. I will not name any individually because that would take the rest of my time, but I am aware that you work hard. You worked hard to help me, and I am very grateful for that assistance. To my friends and those that helped, again I offer my thanks.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .