Page 2293 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 16 August 2006
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4. Respect the privacy and dignity of others.
5. Do not buy products made from endangered plants or animals.
6. Always follow designated trails.
7. Learn about and support conservation-oriented programs and organisations working to preserve the environment.
8. Wherever possible, walk or utilise environmentally sound methods of transportation.
This morning Mr Gentleman referred to the pains to which people went when they put up Skyrail to ensure they did not damage the environment. The ninth commandment is:
9. Patronise those members of the travel industry who advance energy and environmental conservation; water and air quality; recycling; safe management of waste and toxic materials; noise abatement; community involvement; and which provide experienced, well-trained staff dedicated to strong principles of conservation.
We observed all that while we were at the conference in Queensland. Eco-tourism in Queensland encourages people to abide by all those principles. There are serious issues to be addressed not only by tour operators but also by governments. If we are to consider eco-tourism in this territory we need to take all those things into account.
Deputy Chief Minister—responses to representations
MR MULCAHY (Molonglo) (6.22): Tonight I speak about the conduct of a government minister and her failure to respond reasonably to representations made on behalf of constituents. Notwithstanding Ms Gallagher’s view that the adjournment debate should be nice, it is imperative that I raise these issues. I make it clear at the outset that thankfully this is not the practice of all government ministers. Most ministers reply to representations promptly and provide reasonable and courteous answers that demonstrate a level of investigation and effort. It is my practice to forward all replies to constituents without amendment. I thank those ministers for their efforts and for abiding by what I believe is, and should be, the standard practice of a minister in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
In contrast to her colleagues, the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Health, Ms Gallagher MLA, has consistently failed to provide reasonable responses to many representations that I and fellow member for Molonglo, Mr Seselja, have made to her on behalf of constituents, both in her current role and when she was minister for education. A typical response from the minister reads:
Thank you for your correspondence of … regarding representations from—
the named constituent—
If you are able to provide contact details of
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