Page 3372 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 21 October 2014
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Again, in terms of those priority areas that we have put forward, that we are working on, whether it be our large infrastructure projects, our provision of services across health and education or, indeed, looking to solve problems which have landed on our doorstep in relation to Mr Fluffy, Canberra is a very livable city. But where there are challenges, we do join together, work out solutions to the problem and look to provide each other with a hand when it is needed.
This is a report that I think we should be proud of. It has certainly elicited a bit of attention from around the country and the usual commentary that comes with Canberra having any positive news. But I think that for those of us who live here, who move around the city, who use services from time to time, we can all be very proud of the way that this city has grown and developed and the high level of service provision that is provided, particularly through the ACT government services, the non-government organisations that support that work, and of course the business community, who help us to grow the local economy.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Chief Minister, what feedback have you had following the release of these findings from the OECD?
MS GALLAGHER: The report has attracted both national and international attention. For us, whilst the news contained in this report, once we had read the report, was not that surprising, I think, for visitors and foreign dignitaries I have met, including on my recent trip overseas, their level of awareness and understanding of some of the strengths of Canberra has certainly been strengthened through the publication and coverage of this report. There is, obviously, the usual bashing that goes on about the nation’s capital, although I think that is changing over time.
But for me, one of the best moments that have happened since this report was at the boundless playground. Really this again symbolises in a very physical way some of the strengths that have been highlighted in this report. There we were, opening a fantastic new playground for our children and any child, regardless of their abilities, is able to use that playground. It is a playground that has been built with the generosity of private donations and, where that has not met the budget, some support from the ACT government. So it is inclusive, it has been helped by the community. The business community have chipped in with donations of time, skill, labour to get it done. Then, there was a big celebration at the opening and a moment of spontaneous applause when I mentioned the fact that we live in the world’s most liveable city.
The Canberra pride that has come out of this report is also something that we should acknowledge, something that we should be proud of and something that we should continue to build upon.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.
MR COE: Chief Minister, did the OECD source their own data for this report or did the ACT government provide information?
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