Page 2061 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 6 August 2014
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MR HANSON (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (11.04): Firstly, I would like to commend Mr Doszpot for bringing this motion before us today; it has been a very interesting debate. You have led the charge on this issue in the Assembly; it is clear from the debate that this is an important issue and that the efforts you have made will, regardless of where this ends up, result in an improvement to this development.
It is great to see members of the Yarralumla community in here today; I welcome you all. I note that a former Speaker, Mr Cornwell, was here previously; I think he has had to duck away. But it is great to see members of the community coming in here to listen to these debates and getting involved—not just here today, but getting involved in the planning process and being advocates for your local community. That is a terrific thing.
I commend Mr Coe. The points that Mr Coe has made about the territory plan and about the planning process provide an important context for this debate. It is quite clear that what is going on in Yarralumla is flawed. The reason it is flawed is that it sits within a flawed planning process. Ultimately we can do what we can in this place to fix up isolated planning failures, but what is needed is a systemic change to the planning process; then we will see fewer incidents like those we are debating today relating to Yarralumla.
Yes, we will fight on Yarralumla; we will continue to work with the community. But broadly, unless we provide the sort of review and changes that we need in relation to our planning process, this is never going to win. Today it is Yarralumla. Tomorrow, who knows?
We have had some interesting speeches from those opposite, I must say. Ms Porter, I am not quite sure of the point you were trying to make other than—
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Dr Bourke): You will address your remarks through the chair, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Through you, Mr Assistant Speaker, I am not quite sure of the point she is trying to make but—
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, you will address your remarks to the chair.
MR HANSON: Yes, I am, Mr Assistant Speaker. Through you, I am not sure what points she was making, but I imagine they would be very different if this was an issue relating to development in Hawker. I imagine that then, in Ms Porter’s global view of Canberra, it would all of a sudden be more interesting to her community. This is what Mr Doszpot is doing as a local member—representing his community, as is right and as is proper.
Yesterday, Mr Assistant Speaker, I reflected that all of the Ginninderra members were asking questions about Tuggeranong. So maybe you do not share that same view. You just seem to ask questions and have an interest in anywhere but your own electorates.
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