Page 4871 - Week 13 - Thursday, 2 November 2017
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Thursday, 2 November 2017
MADAM SPEAKER (Ms Burch) took the chair at 10 am and asked members to stand in silence and pray or reflect on their responsibilities to the people of the Australian Capital Territory.
Chief Minister
Motion of no confidence
MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (10.01): I move:
That this Assembly no longer has confidence in the Chief Minister, Mr Andrew Barr MLA, due to the Government’s engagement in corrupt decisions.
The opposition does not have confidence in the ACT government. We move this motion because of the corrupt decisions that have taken place and, I am concerned, will continue to take place. There are numerous examples of corruption. These come at a time went the apathy, complacency and complicity of those opposite must be called out. There are too many times when property scandals, poker machine decisions, planning approvals and other decisions have seriously tarnished our city and given Canberra a reputation as being a corrupt capital.
There was a time when the Greens would call out these issues. There was a time when they would actually demand answers. Those questions are now not forthcoming. When Ms Le Couteur was between stints in this place she was vocal in the Downer Community Association. She raised questions about section 72 Dickson. Unfortunately, the probity questions have stopped. This is despite the fact that what we know now is many times worse than what we knew then.
In my budget reply speech in June I said:
The ACT has a problem. At best it is an integrity issue, and at worst it is corruption.
We all know that there are some people who have done very well out of this government, be it particular lobbyists, particular developers or particular consultants along the way. However, they have only gained this access because the government has given them preference or has shut the door on others.
The issues I raised have had new developments. The issues I raised in June include the CFMEU’s $4 million headquarters and the $1 lease back, Labor’s 489 poker machines and their then acquisition from the Italian club, the Glebe Park and lakeside deals, the Woden Tradies car park, the rural lease purchases, Labor’s Braddon apartment deal and the MOU. Unfortunately, there is more to report.
It is corrupt to legislate for poker machines without declaring an interest whilst you are owning them. For years that is what they have been doing. Now, of course, they have cycled the pokie money into other entities.
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