Page 4356 - Week 13 - Thursday, 11 December 2014
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Madam Speaker, the maintenance of our suburbs is a disgrace. It is seen as secondary by Andrew Barr, who seldom ventures out of his ivory tower to visit the outer suburbs. But it is not secondary to us. We will restore these core services that have been neglected for over a decade.
That is my vision for everybody who lives in the outer suburbs and who needs those roads and buses fixed, not a billion dollar tram track. That is my vision, Madam Speaker, and that of my team, for all of those waiting longer than anybody else in Australia for surgery or emergency treatment. And that is the vision of my team for all of those who work hard only to pay the highest rates and taxes and bills in the country. The difference is between light rail, with its higher rates and more debt, and making Canberra the best city in the country for everybody to raise a family, to earn a living, and to get ahead.
Madam Speaker, I have the vision and I have the team. My team and I will shine a light on this government, and we will do the hard job of an opposition, as we have done for the first half of this term. And we will do it well. But more than that, we will take our positive vision for Canberra’s future to the people of Canberra and we will give them hope that there is a better way.
Madam Speaker, I would like to finish today on behalf of the Canberra Liberals by saying a few words about Katy Gallagher.
Ms Gallagher: Watch out.
MR HANSON: Watch out. Firstly, I would like to recognise her 13 years of service as an MLA and as Chief Minister. I have spent much of my time in this place critiquing her performance as health minister and Chief Minister. Katy, unless you would like to hear it one more time—no, not today?—I will spare you my health stump speech, as you call it, but what I will do is forward my notes to Senator Seselja; I am sure he will make great use of those in the days to come.
Madam Speaker, I note that the former Chief Minister, Ms Gallagher, was somewhat critical of Mr Seselja when he left this place to go to the Senate. So it is very encouraging that Katy Gallagher has seen the error of her ways. She has seen that she was wrong and she has seen that Zed was so right that she decided to do exactly the same and is seeking to join him. Good luck to you. I note that there are some interesting characters up there in the Senate, Katy; they make us look quite normal.
On these occasions the normal thing is to wish people luck, but that would be a little disingenuous, given that you are moving to the Senate to contest the seat for the Labor Party. But certainly I and my team do wish you well, Katy—we do genuinely. We have all had our fights and they have been tough but I am pleased that when it has come to some important issues for our community—and I would include Mr Fluffy in that—we have had good conversations and we have worked together in this Assembly for the better interest of our community. I acknowledge that. I acknowledge your commitment to Canberra and I respect the role you have played as leader of your party.
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