Page 2805 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 17 August 2005
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heard, the Canberra plan sets a strategic direction for government and the community. It has been shaped by Canberrans. It is underpinned by a concept of sustainability. It is strengthening Canberra’s economy whilst delivering services to Canberrans and managing urban growth and change.
Mr Smyth said that I provided no indicators on how the plan has progressed. But we have heard already about the initiatives created, and I will repeat those in case Mr Smyth did not hear them. The Department of Economic Development was established to improve delivery of key services and programs to the business community and develop strategies relating to major business and economic issues facing the territory over the coming years. The Canberra Partnership Board has brought together businesses, researchers and government to identify opportunities for growth and export.
A $30 million super venture capital partnership was initiated to take great local ideas and turn them into commercial realities and jobs. The Canberra-California bridge program has opened the door to global markets and global finance. ScreenACTion, and we have talked about it before, the ACT office of film, media and digital content, is open for business. The one stop business shopfront was established on Northbourne Avenue and is now home for BusinessACT, the Canberra Business Advisory Service, Austrade, ScreenACTion and the brand new Small Business Commissioner. The government also, as we said, invested $10 million in the new School of Health Science at the University of Canberra. So there have been some indicators for Mr Smyth to look at.
I would like to thank members for their contributions to this debate today. I feel a great passion in moving this motion this month as I celebrate living in this wonderful city for 50 years. The Canberra plan has been a wonderful initiative and I have been pleased to see the introduction of some of these significant partnerships with our community. This is the continuation of Canberra’s future development and sustainability.
The commitment of the government to build on the success of the Gungahlin centre and extend this program to the Tuggeranong community is just another reason to support this motion. I ask you all to consider supporting this motion as the Canberra plan recognises the importance of social cohesion and the need to build a stronger community. The Canberra plan builds a relationship between the community and the government to help shape the future of the ACT. I urge members to support the motion.
Motion agreed to.
Bushfires—coronial inquest
MR STEFANIAK: (Ginninderra) (11.46) I move:
That this Assembly calls on the Attorney-General to rule out:
(1) initiating or joining any further appeals against the Coronial Inquest into the 2003 bushfires; and
(2) the Territory funding the legal costs of any further appeals against the Coronial Inquest into the 2003 bushfires that may be taken by individuals.
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