Page 1214 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 7 May 2014
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your position on a base political need, as this just does a disservice to the community and to the future of this city.
This project is one that will bring substantial change for Canberra. It will deliver new economic opportunities. It will deliver environmental and economic benefits for our city. It is one that I think the community does support and sees the long-term benefits that this project will bring for our city.
MR HANSON (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (4.22): I thank Mr Coe for bringing this motion before the Assembly today. It is a very important motion. It is a line in the sand. It makes our position clear. The Liberal Party has engaged in a very deliberative process over the last 18 months in looking at this proposal. Mr Coe has raised numerous questions and has put in FOIs. We have had many deliberations, and we have talked to experts and consultants.
It is an informed decision that we have come to today, Madam Assistant Speaker. And it is not about whether you like rail or do not like rail. It is a matter of whether the business case has been made for what the government are proposing—stage 1 of their light rail system, which is essentially a tram track between Civic and Gungahlin.
When you look at all the factors, the conclusion that we have come to, and I would argue the conclusion that Canberrans themselves are coming to as they become apprised of the facts, as they understand the business case or the lack thereof, is that it simply does not stack up.
It is pretty clear that this is ideologically driven and the key proponents who are driving this are Shane Rattenbury and Simon Corbell, who think that this is some form of green crusade. We know that from their comments they want to be at the fringe of the environmental debate. The reality is, though, that there is little if no difference between buses as we have them and a light rail system from an environmental perspective. But it does give a grand appearance that Simon Corbell and Shane Rattenbury are making some huge difference. It is a bit like Simon Corbell’s banning of lightweight plastic bags—essentially there was an admission it will make no difference but it will give you the feeling that something good is happening.
There is a lot of “feel good” about a light rail system. A lot of people, on the surface, without looking at those facts, would probably feel good about it. But when you look at the issues, as I said, the case has not been made.
The cost is extraordinary—$614 million of capital expenditure. It will be the most expensive project ever undertaken by the ACT government. It is equivalent to $4½ thousand a household. I ask you, Madam Assistant Speaker, whether any of the members can really think of any substantive projects that this government has put forward that have not been subject to significant delay and budget blowout. The Cotter Dam is, of course, a very recent example, but even now it would appear that the Majura parkway is heading into trouble. These are complex programs and I have no confidence that it will remain at that level. It is clear when you look at our budget and the debt position this government is in that this is not the time when we should be going out and borrowing hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars.
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