Page 3686 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 23 October 2013
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MR BARR: in an orgy of self-congratulation around each of his members, hoping to shore up their support, Madam Deputy Speaker, because of his gutless and pathetic leadership yesterday in this place.
Ms Burch: But did Alistair get a mention?
MR BARR: He did at the very end. He got to the rival. He got to the rival at the very end. There must be something seriously going on after yesterday’s pathetic performance from the Leader of the Opposition. Having started his speech criticising the government for allegedly self-congratulating, he then—
Mr Doszpot interjecting—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Doszpot!
MR BARR: spends most of his speech self-congratulating, Madam Deputy Speaker. But it is what we have come to expect from the Leader of the Opposition. We will instead focus on issues that matter to Canberrans and that is what we are doing today.
Mr Doszpot interjecting—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Doszpot!
MR BARR: I thank Dr Bourke for raising this motion. I am really pleased to be able to speak in support of Dr Bourke’s motion and to outline a number of areas within my portfolio responsibilities where the government is getting on with delivering real outcomes on the ground for Canberrans on issues that matter, particularly in the area of housing and new development projects to transform Canberra.
We have begun work on a series of major new developments that will have long-term and significant benefits for Canberrans. Earlier in this year the government unveiled the city to the lake project, a very important project for the transformation of the centre of our city. It seeks to link Civic and our greatest asset, Lake Burley Griffin, to provide a world-class entertainment, cultural, sporting and residential precinct. It is a project that will enliven the centre of our city in the same way that the southbank developments have done for Melbourne and for Brisbane.
In addition, we have been able to commence work on a number of major new housing developments. These new developments are in addition to the ongoing urban infill and continuing developments in Gungahlin and the Molonglo valley. In the past six months the government has announced the following new residential developments: Riverview in west Belconnen; Lawson in central Belconnen, and the civil works are underway now in Lawson; Campbell section 5, and the civil works are underway there; and just last week, Mr Gentleman and I were able to launch the Southquay development in the Tuggeranong town centre, and civil works commence there very soon.
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