Page 1419 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 3 May 2016
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It must be pointed out that the virtue of honesty is also significantly compromised by the existence of an MOU between ACT Labor and the union movement. Peter Strong, the chairman of the Council of Small Business Australia, has written recently on the existence of this document and the government’s failure to be transparent about its existence as being both dishonest and deceitful. In fact, the virtues of transparency, accountability, fairness, respect, responsibility and respect for the law and administration of justice can also be argued as having been disregarded by the Barr Labor government in light of the existence of this agreement.
Fairness is a key ethical principle and one that has been completely disregarded by ACT Labor throughout their time in government and their time in this place. Whether it is seen through the prism of ever-increasing rates, fees and charges on the average Canberra taxpayer and small business or the lack of fairness applied in the decision to build a tram, this principle has all but been ignored.
To illustrate, Madam Speaker, the tram project will only ever serve one very small percentage of the Canberra population, all the while expecting the rest of Canberra to pay for the privilege. We also see a lack of fairness in the neglect of Tuggeranong, my home electorate, in the lack of attention to the general amenity of Tuggeranong and the lack open investment in shopping centres, roads, playgrounds and general municipal services.
If we look at respect, another ethical principle required by ministers through the ministerial code of conduct, it is another virtue distinctly lacking when it comes to Canberra’s ageing population. Instead, it seems disrespect is the order of the day according to the Chief Minister. During the recent state of the territory address Mr Barr failed to mention Canberra’s senior population. Despite this address being heralded as a key statement about Canberra’s future ambition and vision, older Canberrans did not rate a mention. From his attitude, it seems that senior Canberrans pose more of a hindrance to his grand vision than to being a help.
When it comes to the ethical principles of responsibility, many would argue that entering into a deal with the ACT Greens to form government was not a responsible course of action. In fact, this deal has compromised the people of Canberra as the government has wildly pursued the ideological whims of the lone Green in this place, disregarding the overwhelming view of voters at the last election.
There are many examples of a disregard for the ministerial code of conduct as it stands currently. In point 5(f) in relation to staff, ministers must abide by their moral and legal obligations as an employer when dealing with their staff. Ministers must make their staff aware of their ethical and administrative obligations. The question remains: was this applied in the case of Ms Burch’s office and the provision of information garnered in the minister’s office in relation to the CFMEU resulting in the resignation of a staff member also compromising others?
Point 5(g) notes that ministers must handle lobbying by businesses and other parties carefully to ensure their personal interests do not clash with or override their public duties. How has this principle been applied by Minister Fitzharris during her dealings
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