Page 2777 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 12 August 2015
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(2) calls on the Government to continue the program of shopping centre upgrades and explore options to leverage greater levels of private investment into these projects.”.
I indicate that I have made a number of adjustments. I note that it is Glassey Street in Spence. Mr Coe mentioned Glasson Street. If my memory serves me correctly, that is in Turner. Glassey Street, Spence is the one listed there, so that is why that adjustment is made. I have highlighted, relevant to a number of the questions asked today, where the program either has been completed or is scheduled for the coming year. I flag the fact that I intend to explore, through research from TAMS, this co-investment model and the possibility of getting enhanced outcomes by co-contribution from the private sector as part of these upgrades to meet some of the community expectation and the community ideas that are out there. I commend my amendment to the Assembly, and I look forward to receiving support for it.
MR COE (Ginninderra) (5.46): To conclude debate on this motion, I am disappointed we did not hear from the minister about why the upgrades have not been done yet despite the fact that they were promised. What is the reason why Evatt was not done in 2013 as promised? What is the reason why all these shopping centre upgrades are not going to happen this term as promised by Labor in September of 2012? I do not understand what the rationale is. What is the reason? Surely it is not a capability issue. Surely TAMS have the ability to manage this process. Is it simply that they have not prioritised it? Is it simply that the government has said, “This is not a promise we want to keep”? Is it simply that they have prioritised light rail over all of these services? How is it that there is over $20 million for light rail in this year’s budget but there is not any money for the Gwydir Square shops in Kaleen? Why is that?
These are all reasonable questions, and I think it is reasonable for the government to respond and give the business and property owners some explanation as to why the government simply has not delivered on its promise. Mr Rattenbury has said he is looking for ways to get private sector investment. I believe the traders of Canberra invest in our community. I believe the traders of Canberra invest in our community when they put their houses on the line; when they take out a tenancy; when they buy a building; when they pay their rates; when they pay their utility bills; when they pay their levies, their licences or their fees and charges; when they pay and collect GST; and when they pay company tax or income tax.
These are the sorts of commitments and investments businesses and property owners right across Canberra make on a daily basis. They are investing in our community, and I think we are short-changing them if we say they are not doing enough. Simply taking a risk in this city is something we should be commending, not something that we should be lamenting as not being enough.
I call on the government to deliver their promise. I call on the government to do what they said they would do. You would not think that would be a controversial statement. You would not think you would vote against that, but it seems that is what the government are going to do. The government are not going to vote for a motion that simply calls on them to implement their own election promise. It amazes me. What
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