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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 1 Hansard (18 February) . . Page.. 292 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

issue of the car park at Tuggeranong, I checked with the police, and they said that the incidence of crime in that car park was very low and they did not see it as a priority. I will ask the police again to see whether or not that has changed.

The other incident was the incident in Gilmore - a most unfortunate incident where a young girl was attacked. The curious thing about that was that the attack occurred at 4.30 on a December afternoon. It does not get any better lit than 4.30 on a December afternoon in Canberra. Whether or not there was lighting at that underpass, it would have made no difference in regard to the time of day. What we have actually done since then is wait until school went back so that we could get an understanding of the numbers of people that use that underpass. There is some traffic on that underpass, not a lot, but I think that, in the community there, there is a perception that it needs to be better lit. Following the analysis done by my department, I have said, "Put a streetlight in". It is very important that people do feel safe. But the point has to be made that that most unfortunate attack occurred at 4.30 in the afternoon, and it should not be linked to this report. I think that it is quite sad that that has been done.

The Government will move forward on this. As information becomes available, I will make periodic reports back to the Assembly about what agreement we have been able to reach, certainly on the technical issues. I would like to thank the members for their input. I think it raises some interesting questions. In fact, it raises some great opportunities for Canberra in the future.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

MR SPEAKER: Before we move on to the next item, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the gallery of staff and students of Years 5 and 6 from St John Vianney's Primary School, Waramanga. Welcome to your Assembly.

Motion (by Mr Humphries) agreed to:

That leave of absence from 1 to 14 March 1999 inclusive be given to Mr Michael Moore, MLA.

Debate resumed from 27 August 1998, on motion by Mr Wood:

That the report be noted.

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