Page 6144 - Week 14 - Thursday, 9 December 2010
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of program. We exposed the downgrading of patients from cat 1 to cat 2 for non-surgical. We established a shadow ministry for veterans’ affairs. We pushed for better support for ESA management and support with legislation. We called for roads to be maintained and parks opened for public access. We introduced a policy of centralised waiting lists for childcare and a childcare master plan.
We were the driving force behind the introduction of the Kambah master plan. We pushed for action at local shopping centres, including Hawker, Manuka and Evatt. We introduced auditor-general legislation to protect the independence and funding of the Auditor-General. We moved to protect small businesses and support them being paid on time. We exposed ACTION bus network management that led to the Auditor-General’s report. We exposed Katy Gallagher and Jon Stanhope’s deal to hand over 50 per cent of GST. We made the government accountable with regard to its lack of support for community sports.
The list goes on and on. We are doing the hard work. We will continue to hold this government to account. We will put forward real alternatives for the people of the ACT—because the people of the ACT are not better off; they are paying more and they are getting less. They deserve better than what they are getting from this government. We will continue to offer it to them in our time in opposition in preparation for taking government.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water, Minister for Energy and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (4.55): The Stanhope Labor government has delivered results for this great city but it is also looking to the future, to the challenges that will confront coming generations of Canberrans, and is displaying leadership and vision in areas such as housing affordability, water security and climate change.
The government acknowledges that these are the collective aspirations shared across our community. Working towards these goals requires a collaborative approach that works to strengthen and build our businesses, community and city.
Over the past two years we have implemented a comprehensive program of modernisation to ensure that this government communicates with and is listening to Canberrans. The government acknowledges that responsible governing requires a forward-looking approach rather than a pessimistic critique.
In 2008 we released The Canberra plan: towards our second century, setting out our broad vision for Canberra’s continued prosperity as we approach our second century. We have asked Canberrans about the shape they want their city to take in 2030, a process that has used deliberative forums, social media and random surveys as well as more traditional forms of consultation such as town hall meetings and written submissions.
Canberra is a vibrant city with great neighbourhoods. As we grow as a city it is essential that the government take a bold, forward-looking approach that commits to maintaining the amenity and facilities that support the rich culture and community of Canberra. The government has a vision for the future of this city and it is delivering on it.
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