Page 3666 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 28 October 2014
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city. It is a good one. The business case makes that very clear. We are very proud of the work that has been done to date, and Mr Coe will have the opportunity to critique that at his leisure come Friday.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Chief Minister, why hasn’t the government focused on capital works projects that will increase productivity, such as the Australia forum, rather than expensive white elephants like light rail?
MS GALLAGHER: I presume that is coming from your own cost-benefit analysis of the Australia forum having a productive impact on the economy. I have not seen that eminent piece of work, but I will look for it.
We have never accepted funding responsibility for the Australia forum—ever. We have said we will bring land. That is our continued commitment. We have never taken that on, because we have hospitals, schools, public transport and municipal services to run. That is what we have to invest in—and today quite a large bill from the Mr Fluffy homes. They are the priorities that we have clearly stated to the ACT community. They are the priorities that will bring the biggest benefit to this city.
We will facilitate other investment opportunities. Indeed, I do not think you could find stronger advocates for this city than you find on this bench—people who, indeed, in the last month, have travelled parts of Asia spruiking this city and talking up opportunities for this town. We do not take the approach that you have taken. We want to see investment come.
Opposition members interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: We want to see investment come to this city. We want people to understand that there are opportunities for—
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order! The opposition will come to order.
MS GALLAGHER: convention centres, for other private investment in other city infrastructure. But we will prioritise the public infrastructure that the city needs, at the same time making sure that those who want to invest in this town are welcomed and given the opportunity to do so.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Berry.
MS BERRY: Chief Minister, what are the other benefits of capital metro for the city of Canberra?
MS GALLAGHER: I thank Ms Berry for her supplementary. This is much more than a public transport initiative. It will change public transport in the city, that is for sure. We are not landing a new way of transporting people. Those opposite seem to
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