Page 3343 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 17 August 2011

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A call of the Assembly having commenced—

MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is an issue with the bells not working in some areas of the building. We are going to send attendants around to make sure everybody knows that a division has been called.

The Assembly voted—

Ayes 10

Noes 5

Mr Barr

Mr Hargreaves

Mr Coe

Mr Seselja

Ms Bresnan

Ms Hunter

Mr Doszpot

Ms Burch

Ms Le Couteur

Mrs Dunne

Mr Corbell

Ms Porter

Mr Hanson

Ms Gallagher

Mr Rattenbury

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question now is that the motion, as amended, be agreed to.

MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (11.33): I thank those members who supported the motion today for their comments. The prospective development of Throsby is an example of the great challenges that Canberra faces as a place where we have a number of ecologically threatened communities of national significance. As the current custodians of this space, of this land, we have the responsibility to ensure the protection of those great natural assets whilst enabling this city to expand as it seems to be so rapidly doing. It is a constant tension. As I talked about in my speech, the Greens recognise the intent of the Canberra spatial plan, which was that 50 per cent of our future development should be in the urban areas that already exist—that is, forms of brownfield and greyfield development that enable us to make more effective use of the land that we have already cleared so that we may preserve those spaces of natural significance that still exist for both this and future generations. That is what the Greens believe is possible for the future of this city, and that is what makes Mr Seselja’s rant so extraordinary. He took what was, I think, a considered and thoughtful approach to these difficult development issues—

Mr Coe: You were not so considered on ABC radio.

MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Coe!

MR RATTENBURY: It only took you a couple of minutes, and it highlights the extraordinary hypocrisy. We sat here yesterday and were given a 2½ hour lecture on respect for the institutions of parliament, and yet Mr Seselja and his team come in here, they were heard in absolute silence during their speeches—

Mrs Dunne: Point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker.

MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Could you resume your chair, Mr Rattenbury. Stop the clock, please. Mrs Dunne, a point of order?

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