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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 2 Hansard (20 February) . . Page.. 399 ..
MR CORBELL: It is the government's intention to develop an integrated strategic plan for the city. As part of that process, a transport planning component is essential. The first step in that process is the establishment of a consultancy into the investigation of future public transport options for the city, including light rail. I have already flagged that the terms of reference for this study are currently being completed and will be forwarded to me shortly for consideration. I anticipate that that study will form the first step in the development of a strategic transport plan for the city.
In relation to having a broader strategic plan for Canberra in which transport planning would be a key component, I anticipate making an announcement in March on the process and the timetable for the implementation of that plan. I can assure members of the Assembly that the government believes that the success of this project is entirely contingent on engaging with all Canberra citizens in making it work well.
Gallop report
MR SMYTH: My question is to the Health Minister. Yesterday, in response to a question in the Assembly, you said:
... indeed, that one of the Gallop recommendations is that the government look at employing Ms Cross in the very role in which she has been employed. It is actually a recommendation of the Gallop report ...
Minister, the report actually says:
It may assist the ACT to approach or engage local and interstate experts (such as Professor Shaddock, Ms Anne Cross and Mr Jeff Chan) to provide advice on directions and options that might be pursued during the early years. Professor Shaddock is a local, highly qualified world expert. On its interstate visits the Inquiry was most impressed with the breadth of knowledge and practical experience demonstrated by Ms Cross and Mr Chan.
Given that three experts were recommended, will you please explain to the Assembly the process by which Ms Cross was selected?
MR STANHOPE: As with the issues around the selection or appointment of anybody to any position, we faced the same issues in relation to appointments to the disability reform group. At some stage of the process a judgment needs to be made. A number of people are concerned and, to some extent, upset that they were not appointed to the disability reform group. That is an incident of a judgment that I made. I regret that they are disappointed. I regret that they did not get the opportunity to serve in the capacity that they would have liked in relation to the disability reform group, but that is a part of any decision-making process. At the end of the day a judgment is made and I made a judgment on the disability reform group.
Mr Smyth: Not the reform group; the adviser.
MR STANHOPE: I am just explaining the process for you. You asked about the process. That was the process. Similarly, in relation to Justice Gallop's suggestions or recommendations in relation to the appointment of a noted expert, he did suggest the names of three people. I made a judgment and my judgment was to employ Ms Cross.
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