Page 5083 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 26 October 2011
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Other than criticising Mr Seselja, telling Mr Corbell to get on his bike and go for a ride and trying to defend Ms Le Couteur, Mr Rattenbury did not focus on any substance. So I just make the point that if you are going to get up in this place and criticise a member of another party, it is probably best not to then commit the same crime by doing so yourself.
MS LE COUTEUR (Molonglo) (7.41): Speaking to the amendment, I thank Mr Corbell for focusing on Civic, but I do not totally agree with the amendment. I note that the Greens will not be supporting the amendment. As to his first point, yes, we are well aware that ACTPLA requires as part of the statutory planning responsibilities proponents to submit a small business impact statement. Part of my motion is about the adequacy or otherwise, and I note that that is one of the as yet unresolved issues in the Greens-Labor agreement. I have argued in my motion that the current process is not adequate.
In paragraph (b) he notes that the QIC master plan is being reviewed, and I think this is good. I have been calling for it to be reviewed in the context of the current economic situation, not that of when it was developed in the order of 10 years ago. Paragraph (c) states that the ESD directorate maintains an inventory of current retail space in the ACT so as to assess supply and demand in the retail sector. I am glad to hear this. I am sure it is true. My point is not that it does not maintain it; my point is that it does not publish it. Particularly given that this government is making a point of open government, it would be useful to the business community if it did publish it.
Paragraph (d) is about the comprehensive programs to improve the amenity of Civic. I am very pleased that the government is working on improving the amenity of Civic. I just think more could be done. My colleague Mr Rattenbury talked about the commitment to the Civic cycle loop. We would really like to see an actual commitment, some work on the ground, some action rather than saying, “Yeah, it’s one of the priorities.
Paragraph (e) is the most ironic—the success of the government’s policies in encouraging higher levels of outdoor cafe activities in the city centre, particularly, I assume, the closed ones, like Red Herring, which I understand could not manage to get a licence, Pelagic and Della Piazza. I have some other things to say in closing, but as I—
Mr Hanson: Are you supporting the amendment?
MS LE COUTEUR: No, the Greens are not supporting the amendment. So this is just on the amendment, and I will close when appropriate, Madam Deputy Speaker.
Mr Corbell’s amendment negatived.
MS LE COUTEUR (Molonglo) (7:44): In closing, I will echo some of my colleague Mr Rattenbury’s comments about the Leader of the Opposition’s comments. We are members of the Assembly and it is totally appropriate that we continue to move motions and use all our time as Assembly members. I am not quite sure what the
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