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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 01 Hansard (Wednesday, 11 February 2004) . . Page.. 209 ..

Opposition made and continues to make about the social plan, it is important and relevant for us to reflect on just how out of touch with the community the Liberal Party is. If we go, for instance, just to the editorial on the social plan—and I think nobody would not be prepared to concede that the Canberra Times is not an institution designed to automatically applaud anything that this government does—the Canberra Times was more than pleased to comment on the positive aspects and the fact that the government was to be commended for taking a long-term strategic look at issues affecting our community. The Canberra Times said:

Long-term planning has never been a feature of Australian government, at any level or of any persuasion, so the Stanhope Government’s commitment to put together a blueprint for the future social, economic and planning development of the ACT over the next 10-15 years is to be commended.

ACTCOSS—another fairly tough, vigorous and fairly constant critic of governments, and indeed this government—had this to say:

ACTCOSS today welcomed the release of the ACT Government’s Social Plan. … Director, Mr Daniel Stubbs, said the final report envisages a fairer, more equitable society.

Meredith Hunter from the Youth Coalition of the ACT said:

We are particularly pleased with the focus on children and young people.

Professor Fiona Stanley, Australian of the Year, said:

I think what seems to be so good about the plan is, at the crux of it, a focus on children and family centres.

ACT Shelter commented:

The public housing reforms are great and the injection of the additional funding—

That was the injection of an additional $33 million just last December—

is, pending details on how we spend it, a positive initiative.

The Women’s Electoral Lobby had this to say:

WEL is pleased to see the plan now recognises gender equity …

Craig Wallace, President of People with a Disability ACT, said:

There are some strong aspirational statements in Visions and Values. It is about putting those into action … we hope the plan will produce some significant changes and improvements for people with disabilities.

The Property Council of the ACT, not necessarily a natural part of our constituency, stated:

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