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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 9 Hansard (2 September) . . Page.. 2803 ..
MR SMYTH (continuing):
have not got exactly what they wanted out of it, but the consultation process has been wide; it has been far-reaching; it has been fair. Where we have been able, we have taken on board residents' concerns.
Mr Hargreaves: It has been disgustingly flawed.
MR SMYTH: Mr Hargreaves just cannot help himself. He says that it is disgusting.
Mr Hargreaves: Disgustingly flawed.
MR SMYTH: He says it is disgustingly flawed. I am not sure what he thinks consultation means. Consultation means communicating with the public. We have had public meetings. We have had talk-back on radio. We have had questionnaires. We have gone back to the people on a number of occasions. We have had follow-up meetings. We have gone to talk to the broad community represented by the Community Council. We have had meetings where those interested have been able to turn up. We have gone specifically to residents groups, the sea scouts and groups like Business Tuggeranong.
Mr Hargreaves: Business Tuggeranong, your own lot.
MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, what can one say? He exposes his own inadequacy by the gibes that he throws across the chamber. The public consultation was then followed up with distribution through the Tuggeranong Hyperdome, the Tuggeranong Library, the Tuggeranong Community Centre, the Tuggeranong government shopfront, the Valley Rugby Union Club, the Southern Cross Club, the Burns Club, some residents groups, the Community Council, the Directory of Community Groups, Business Tuggeranong, the PALM shopfront and the PALM Web page. I am sorry it is inadequate to meet the needs of consultation as the Labor Party see them. Whom do they consult with? You do not see them anywhere. They are never anywhere.
Mr Hargreaves makes the mistake of equating consultation with acquiescence or giving in. Consultation is about meeting the needs of the whole, not about meeting the needs of sectional interests. This has been a very good process. RAPI did a planning workshop with young people. We did a specific consultation with young people, and they came up with some very good ideas and some interesting ideas which were incorporated in the final document.
Mr Osborne asked whether I would refer the matter to the Urban Services Committee. I am happy to refer it to the Urban Services Committee. I have no dilemma at all about sending it to the Urban Services Committee. If you want more consultation, we can give you more consultation because we are the government that cares and we are the government that will consult with the public. We believe that is the appropriate thing to do.
MR OSBORNE
: I ask a supplementary question. I thought you knew, Minister, that the process is always flawed when we do not agree with the outcome. I agree that some life should be brought into the lake. My concern is over residential development. What would you as Minister like to say to the residents of Oxley, for example, your constituents, who bought property with a view of the lake and the Brindabellas?
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