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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 6 Hansard (2 September) . . Page.. 1849 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

24 per cent of Canberrans will pay $16 less, 23 per cent will only pay a dollar more and 43 per cent will pay $24 more. It is fair to say that we made these decisions with environmental concerns in mind.

I think Mr Corbell mentioned that we had no evidence. I am sure that in the Estimates Committee hearings I referred to the NRMA report, for instance, which came down recently, that does link weight and engine size to the impact that it has on emissions. I think we have considered the registration issue very carefully.

There was a lot of misinformation put out early. We supposedly had Landcruiser prices coming down, small car prices going up, pensioners not getting discounts and pensioners getting different discounts. The reality, Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, is that the pensioners did get the free registration. This Government is very pleased to deliver that. I know that pensioner groups were more than appreciative. Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, 24 per cent of motorists had a reduction and another 23 per cent only pay a dollar more. The registration fee, I think, is very reasonable. It is very fair. The impact of engine size and weight of engine in relation to emissions and impact on the roads and the environment in general is quite clear. I am sure I still have a copy of the NRMA report in my office if members are interested in it.

Mr Quinlan made a point about the cost of de-tooling for plates. In fact the logos were screen-printed, so there was no tooling cost involved.

There seem to be great worries in this place about PALM and its future, Mr Speaker. It is curious that OAM is attributed as having planning functions. OAM does not have planning functions. It does have responsibility for the management of the land as an asset, and that is more than appropriate. The process of moving that off to Chief Minister's was done in great consultation with the staff. That process of cooperation between PALM and OAM will continue. Whilst it is easy to selectively quote some projects that perhaps do not go as well as they should - - -

Mr Rugendyke: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I simply draw standing order 41 to the notice of the two members here.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Rugendyke. May I say, sir, touche.

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, there seems to be this fear that simply because the Opposition do not know about something it is secret and therefore there is some sort of inherent evil in reviewing anything that I do. Since I have become Minister I have looked at several areas and said that I want to know exactly what they do, how we deliver it and how best we can deliver it. There is absolutely no recognition from those opposite, because it does not suit their purpose. In the main, PALM does very well. The majority of its decisions are efficient, fast and correct. Large developments such as the GIO building becoming the Holiday Inn, the Waldorf residential units, and major developments and expansions going on in Woden, Tuggeranong and Belconnen town centres in the main are running very smoothly. It is because of the efforts of the

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