Page 2793 - Week 09 - Thursday, 27 September 2007
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Guess what, Mr Speaker: none of the vice mayors or other officials I spoke to have the solution to these problems, but they all wanted to know how we were approaching them in the ACT. They were all doing what the Stanhope Labor government has been doing since 2001 and is continuing to do: gathering data; measuring the problem; identifying the real problem; proposing a range of solutions for community consultation; and then, most importantly, getting on with the job of implementing the most pragmatic solution.
Since we came to power, we have provided approximately $1.5 billion for municipal services, including transport, roads, libraries and parks and $260 million, including our contribution to the commonwealth-state housing agreement, for public housing. We will continue to provide sustainable funding in those areas to keep Canberra as the showcase capital the nation deserves.
What else can I say about the trip, Mr Speaker? It certainly put the problems we face into perspective and showed that, despite the carping criticism we cop, we do very well here in relation to planning, construction, provision of infrastructure, housing, environmental protection, the alleviation of poverty and the living standards enjoyed by all citizens.
I greatly appreciated the warmth of the welcome I received in Beijing and the former capitals. I extend my thanks to the vice mayors of each place, to Madam Li Hong at the embassy for organising the trip, and I give special thanks to officers of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs who accompanied us, Madam Chen Chunmei and Mr Zhu Hongbin, as they did an exceptional job in managing the delegation’s daily program.
I also want to express my appreciation to the members of the delegation who, because they came from the local Chinese community, were able to bridge the communication gaps and gave me invaluable service. Overall, Mr Speaker, despite the inevitable criticism that will come from the opposition, and possibly the Canberra Times, I regard the delegation on multicultural affairs as a great success. I table my report.
Indigenous education—interim report
Paper and statement by minister
MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Planning, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Minister for Industrial Relations): For the information of members, I present the following paper:
Performance in Indigenous Education—Interim report—January to June 2007.
I seek leave to make a statement in relation to the paper.
Leave granted.
MR BARR: I am very pleased to present to the Assembly the progress report on performance in indigenous education. As members will recall, reporting periods
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