Page 87 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 12 February 2008
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decisions they criticise have been vindicated by time. Since the closure of the Griffith library, for example, the ACT Library Service has won the Australian Library Information Association’s prize for the most innovative library service. More money is available to the service for more services. Library opening hours have been adjusted so that users are better served at the times they want to visit the libraries, not at times that suit the staff to be there.
I am not sure why I am being criticised over the Belconnen to Civic busway. The ACT Planning and Land Authority did what it is required to do: it has planned a transport corridor for use at some indeterminate future time. If built now, that busway would take funds that could be better used elsewhere—for example, in expanding the existing bus service—but the Stanhope government has been prudent in identifying the route and setting aside the land for future use. I will bet Morris Iemma wishes that some of his predecessors had been just as prudent in reserving land along Victoria Road!
I have spoken about the values that guide the Stanhope government. There is a broad public interest that must be at the heart of everything governments undertake—a public interest that insists on government being fair, open and responsible. We have rewritten the cabinet handbook and applied it rigorously, so that the advice of agencies is put before the cabinet along with community views. This is part of the evidence-based policy making that the government has followed since it was first elected.
Compare this to what was done by Carnell and Humphries. They virtually ignored the public service, and Mr Seselja’s party constantly attacks our hard-working public servants. Compare also the cherry picking ad hockery of those opposite. The opposition would undo some of the things this government has done simply on ideological grounds. For example, they have announced they will reopen some of the schools. This ignores the evidence that demographics have changed and that the money spent on those schools is better spent on larger schools delivering better educational outcomes.
We should not overlook the fact that this is an election year. This topic was raised today not because the opposition truly believe it is a matter of public importance but because it is their opening shot in the election campaign. This is really an attempt to get Mr Seselja off to a flying start in his leadership. However, we will see.
MR SESELJA (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (5.01): It is a pleasure to speak in the discussion of today’s matter of public importance. Despite Mr Hargreaves dismissing the importance of it, it is absolutely key. It goes to the heart of good government. Today’s MPI is important. An elected government has a responsibility to be a good government—a government that acts in the best interests of all its citizens. A good government is one that is open and accountable. A good government consults with its citizens. It is not arrogant and does not try to spin its way out of trouble.
Citizens must be able to trust the government. After all, we must remind ourselves that the government is elected merely as a trustee of public money. It is not theirs,
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