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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 05 Hansard (Tuesday, 25 May 2004) . . Page.. 2153 ..

This is an exceptionally reasonable approach. It is as relevant to the environmental protection of this nature park whether the road proceeds or not. It is an important step that ought to be taken before more work proceeds. One would think that a minister responsible for the environment would be committed to ensuring that such a process was followed.

To return to the details of this bill: I would have to begin with criticism of the appalling, offensive and highly political statement that goes under the misnomer of the preamble to the bill. I would not imagine that this government could honestly contend that such a partisan interpretation of the impact and value of this road is at all usual or acceptable in legislation.

A more acceptable preface would be to say that unfortunately, given the political necessities of being seen to deliver this road immediately, whatever the basis that might exist for other alternatives or a more measured approach, the government believes that it is necessary to put aside all legislation, avoid all scrutiny and abandon all principles other than the primary principle of the politics of power, which is that when push comes to shove votes are more important than every other consideration. This debate is no longer about the Gungahlin Drive extension. It is about the probity of this government and the opposition.

MRS BURKE (11.28): Much of the legal and technical details have of course been covered over and over again so I do not propose to go down that track. I want to, for the record, stand today to support my constituents of Molonglo and, more importantly, the residents of Gungahlin. I think that, as has been alluded to a couple of times already, the process to get to this point has indeed been shambolic, to say the least. It is disgraceful that we would close down the last sitting and the debate on this matter. I have to say it is an appalling display of disregard for the people of Canberra and for the people of Gungahlin particularly. That decision impacted upon every one of us in this place. I was disappointed that the government did not keep their word. We do not need to go over that; I just wanted to express my disappointment, for the record.

It has been said that the government got themselves into this mess and we, the Liberal opposition, will be supporting the bill to help bail the government out. The Liberals have always been consistent in their commitment to building the GDE and to giving the people of Gungahlin a transport system they have been promised and they deserve. I, like my colleagues, have received many emails. One email—I guess it is the grist of democracy—was interesting. It reads:

Don’t sell out our civil rights in the power play of politics but instead be the responsible and accountable politician who deserves the trust that Canberra’s people have set in you!

That is why I stand here today. I believe in people’s rights and I also believe that it is our job as legislators in this place, as the minister alluded to, to make legislation in the broad public interest. It is the decision of the majority that this roadway go ahead. I understand, and empathise with to an extent, the many stories that have been put to me about the people who oppose this legislation and the proposed roadway.

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