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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 4 Hansard (28 March) . . Page.. 995 ..

MR HIRD (continuing):

seriously the suggestion that calls for increased funding should be accompanied by suggestions about where the money should come from. The National Parks Association outlined four ways of raising more money to be spent on the environment, and I dare say that the Treasurer will be interested in that. Our report urges the Government to take these suggestions on board in framing the final budget.

Another recommendation is highly topical in light of the committee's current round of public hearings on the proposal for the Gungahlin Drive or John Dedman Parkway extensions. This is also dealt with in recommendation 13, together with other comments on recommendation 12. Our recommendation is that the Government consider placing a priority upon construction of the full extension of Horse Park Drive in Gungahlin to Majura Road, or Majura Drive as it is now referred to, under the Federal Highway at the new overpass. The committee thinks that these measures would significantly aid access to and from the new area of Gungahlin.

Finally, our report notes the great effort made by government officials over the Christmas/New Year period in producing the draft budget in time for not just our committee but all committees to examine it in the early stages of the budget cycle. We thank the Minister for Urban Services and his officers for their cooperation and willingness to take a wide range of questions from members of the committee on the points that were raised.

I also would like to thank my colleagues Mr Rugendyke and Mr Corbell and our hardworking, energetic committee secretary, Mr Rod Power.

Question resolved in the affirmative.