Page 719 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 8 March 2016
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I am further pleased that today, as part of Labor’s holistic plan for a truly integrated transport system, the Chief Minister will illuminate us with advances in driverless vehicle technology. The benefit to other road users will I believe be obvious, particularly when combined with other sensible and innovative motorcycle policies, such as the current lane filtering trial in operation in the territory. It is through this kind of detailed review of all aspects of transport that our vision for an integrated transport system begins to take shape. Such integration requires a government able to look at all aspects of the system and how they relate to each other. This government has a commitment to future-proofing Canberra’s transport system.
I am also interested in further streamlining compliance costs and workload for the territory’s small businesses and continuing to build on the good outcomes from the Barr government’s previous efforts to its red tape reduction campaign, which has resulted in a proliferation of outdoor hospitality venues, banishing for good that old image of a sterile, lifeless Canberra. It is bad enough that businesses are forced to spend hundreds of hours a year as tax collectors for the federal government; I am determined to work with businesses to constantly improve the territory’s processes and enhance services available to small business, our biggest employer.
I am hopeful that members will detect a constant theme from me in this place around jobs and employment opportunities. Those opposite may not realise that the Australian Labor Party has always been about jobs. Generally, we are not pinkos, commies, reds or Trots—with deference, if necessary, to the views of some of my colleagues in the left. Quite simply, we have always been about jobs and a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. Even the economic Darwinists will accept that higher levels of employment lead to higher profits and better economic outcomes for all.
Still on employment, I am concerned at the looming trade skill shortage across Australia and hope to work with employer, training and industry groups to deliver innovative ways of getting more young people into apprenticeships and, just as importantly, keeping them there, allowing them to obtain lifelong qualifications and the ability to earn and in time become employers themselves.
I return to my earlier remarks about compromise and how arguably our great city owes its existence to the concept. Politics in my view is often also about compromise. This knowledge, coupled with the experience that I possess and my honest belief that we all here—Labor, Liberal and Greens—find ourselves in this place because we share a commitment to making Canberra as good as it can be, I trust will unite us when necessary to make the compromises needed to deliver the best outcomes for those we represent.
My election to the Assembly is a final step in renewing the Barr Labor team prior to October’s election, Madam Speaker. I am proud to be part of a strong, skilful and experienced team. This team—my colleagues—give me the confidence to work hard to continue the long-term vision and passion for Canberra of the Stanhope and Gallagher governments that came before it. We are rejuvenated and ready to take Canberra through the next exciting stage of its evolution.
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