Page 2285 - Week 06 - Friday, 27 June 2008
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projects of this magnitude put cheek by jowl next to residences. I wonder what the residents of Isaacs and O’Malley will think of your attitude, Mr Corbell.
Mr Corbell: Where would you put it, Steve?
MR PRATT: You have got a challenge now. You have lost the trust of the people of the southern Woden and northern Tuggeranong valleys. You have got a very large project—one which is very valuable to this territory. You need to make a very smart decision as to where you go from here. Mr Speaker, we hope to see some sensibility come into play on the part of this government.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Planning, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Minister for Industrial Relations) (7.36): At the risk of embarrassing Mr Pratt further, I would draw his attention to the provisions within the new planning system, most particularly the different tracks of DA assessment, and that a project such as the gas-fired power station and data centre would fall into the impact track under the new system and would, of course, under the new system, attract a considerable amount of publicity, promotion and public consultation under the requirements of the new act.
We did debate this matter. Again, I acknowledge that Dr Foskey raised this in the substantive debate on the planning and development legislation when we were here late at night earlier this year. We have made the changes and the new planning system does address many of the issues that Mr Pratt has raised around different levels of notification for different-size projects—
Mr Pratt: Well, you have shot the confidence in the community, mate, so it begs to be seen.
MR BARR: Well, that is only—
Mr Pratt: It begs the question.
MR BARR: Mr Pratt, you need to understand, and at least pay some heed to, the piece of legislation that you voted for in this place that addresses the issues that you have just raised. I think that is the only point that needs to be made. I will not hold up this matter.
MR SMYTH (Brindabella) (7.38): I say to the minister that it is not the only point that needs to be made. The government have a consultation protocol on major initiatives, projects and policies, and they have ignored it. The minister stands here and says, “Well, you voted for the current policy.” We vote for many things.
Mr Barr: It is not a government project.
Ms Porter: No, it is not. It is not the government’s project.
MR SMYTH: It is not the government’s project? Now it is the proponent’s fault? This story has shifted continually. There was the Chief Minister—there was not going
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