Page 915 - Week 03 - Thursday, 19 March 2015
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Mr Doszpot interjecting—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Doszpot!
MR RATTENBURY: would be described as a failure of accountability. But it is obvious to me and I think everyone that this is simply another anti-light rail badge for the Liberal Party members to pin to their chests. For the party who, as they say themselves, will take every opportunity to try and stop light rail, this is just another opportunity.
I will not be supporting that attempt. The best approach is for the government to continue on its well-known time line for building—
Mrs Dunne interjecting—
MR RATTENBURY: light rail in a responsible way—
Mr Doszpot interjecting—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Doszpot!
MR RATTENBURY: and in a way that minimises delays. That is now four members of the opposition who have interjected, including Madam Speaker, in the course of my attempt to make my remarks, whilst Mr Coe was heard in silence.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: I will ask again that members of the opposition cease interjecting.
Mr Coe interjecting—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Coe!
MR RATTENBURY: The government has been very transparent on this project. It released the full business case on the project for the community to assess and scrutinise. You do not see this occur on other similar projects. This has been accompanied by the full release of feasibility studies and project updates. There has been extensive community engagement and consultation. Most recently consultation has been occurring on the urban design elements for the light rail project and light rail was a prominent issue before the last election.
Then, of course, there are the comments that Minister Corbell just made about the estimates and annual reports processes, where there are significant opportunities for discussion and for scrutiny of the project, and questioning of both the minister and the Capital Metro Authority.
It does seem to me that the motions are so frequent and the anti-light rail sentiment so enthusiastic from the Canberra Liberals because they are determined that this will be their political campaign to bring to the next election. If the government and the Greens support light rail then the Liberal Party feel that they must oppose it.
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