Page 27 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 27 November 2012
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Coming from a small business to be a member of this Assembly, I have the opportunity to shape the future of Canberra. The ACT economy is all too reliant on the federal government. In recent years we have seen the federal Labor government impose funding cuts to its public service and many local institutions.
The effect this has on local business runs deep. It sees many employed in the government sector become pessimistic in their outlook on the economy and consumer confidence is quickly eroded. The direct flow-on effect is that local businesses struggle. Many have been forced to lay off staff and some have had to close their doors.
If the territory is to function independent of the federal government then the economy needs to diversify. I strongly support the announcement yesterday of our newly created shadow portfolio for economic diversification, for it is only with a diverse economy that Canberra as a city will flourish. However, we will struggle for this to ever be achieved so long as there is a culture of over-regulation and a restrictive tax system in place.
An all-too-common Australian past-time is “Canberra bashing”—that is, the perception that Canberra is nothing more than a place full of politicians and roundabouts. Many people choose to settle in Canberra because of the employment opportunities that exist here. However, if we are to grow Canberra into a vibrant city, we need to disprove this stigma and make Canberra a city people aspire to live in, not the city that they have to live in.
One of the most common issues raised with me during the course of the campaign by constituents is the sentiment that members of the government spend too much time addressing issues that are more appropriately dealt with in the federal parliament. Instead the people of Brindabella want a government that will look at the local issues that affect them daily. They want quality roads to travel on. They want to be able to find a car park at their local shopping centre. They want a choice as to where their children go to school. And they are willing to pay a reasonable amount for the provision of services so long as they can see value for money.
For too long Tuggeranong has suffered from underinvestment. The district has grown and matured past the nappy valley namesake. However, local governments have failed to keep pace with the evolving needs of the community and, in turn, let residents down. Local sporting fields are looking tired. Many footpaths are in disrepair and in need of maintenance and the need for local facilities such as a swimming pool in Lanyon has been ignored. Parts of the road network are operating over capacity, and the result of poor planning will hinder the future growth of parts of the electorate.
I believe that it is my primary responsibility as a representative of Brindabella to focus on issues that residents expect to be managed well; that is, the three Rs—roads, rates and rubbish.
Madam Speaker, may I say that I am most honoured to be given the opportunity by the people of Brindabella. The number of well wishes and kind words I received from the community in the days leading up to the election were just inspiring.
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