Page 1143 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 7 May 2014
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Mrs Jones interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mrs Jones, could you withdraw that, please?
Mrs Jones: I withdraw.
MS GALLAGHER: significant crossover in the motion from Mr Hanson that we are debating and the amendment that I have moved. Mr Hanson would have you believe that the Liberal Party are the only party that communicates with the local constituents across Canberra, which is simply not the case. He would like to perpetuate the divide, or encourage a divide, across suburbs within Canberra, which is something that I do not support at all.
All members in this place, all 17 of us, have contact, extensive contact—perhaps more contact than any government, any parliament in the country—with our local constituencies. That is one of the strengths of the ACT Assembly. So all 17 members, I think, are probably kept pretty well-informed about what Canberrans are saying and thinking, and how they feel the Assembly represents them.
That is why I think there are some genuine crossovers in my amendment and Mr Hanson’s motion. I do not disagree that local municipal services are important, that a progressive, stable taxation system with a strong, stable revenue base is important to Canberrans, that a high quality and responsive health system is important to Canberrans, that an education system that meets all the needs of all children regardless of what sector they have their schooling in is important to Canberrans, as is affordable housing, as is sustainable transport, whether it be through appropriate road infrastructure, whether it be through the provision of public transport, whether it be through the provision of appropriate car parking or, indeed, improving our pedestrian and cycling facilities. All of that is important to Canberrans.
Canberrans also care about their environment and making sure that we do have a planet left for the generations to come that is not significantly disadvantaged and changed, that our climate has changed for my children, their children and Mr Hanson’s children. So they support action on climate change. That remains a priority of this government, as does supporting the business community.
We have very good relations with our business community, with the industry groups and with individual businesses across the territory. Where there is a problem, where there are concerns, let me assure you that those concerns find their way into our ear often through meetings with industry groups but with individual business holders as well. Where we can work with those we do. I think that the work that the Minister for Economic Development has been doing over the last two years in promoting Canberra as a business destination, in promoting Canberra outside Canberra’s borders, both nationally and internationally as a great place to do business, is starting to pay dividends.
We also believe, like Mr Hanson, in a strong and independent planning authority that balances the needs of community with the laws that are passed through this parliament.
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