Page 4877 - Week 13 - Thursday, 2 November 2017
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government stands on a proud platform of equality in our schools, in our health system and in our workplaces. This government believes in a public transport system that caters for a growing city, based around a citywide light rail network.
As a government we have put integrity measures at the forefront of what we do. We took to the last election a proposal to establish an integrity commission, which is, of course, the subject of recommendations from the select committee established for this purpose earlier this week. We established the new Suburban Land Agency to deliver new greenfield residential estates and more affordable housing. We established the City Renewal Authority to deliver design-led, people-focused urban renewal that makes Canberra’s CBD a place that people want to be. We have supported the LGBTIQ community through a divisive postal survey period, and we look forward to a yes vote delivering a more inclusive and more equal country. We have delivered and will continue to deliver progressive government for our progressive community.
I will now directly address each of the issues raised as the basis for this motion. In relation to Glebe Park, in September of 2015 the LDA purchased city block 24 section 65 adjacent to Glebe Park. The LDA purchased this land because it had determined that the Coranderrk Pond stormwater facility would need to be moved from its current location to restructure Parkes Way, to improve water quality in Lake Burley Griffin and to progress the city to the lake project. The site near Glebe Park was identified as a suitable alternative.
The then Land Development Agency’s CEO negotiated and authorised the sale and the LDA board was briefed after it had been concluded. While the Auditor-General determined that there was a lack of documentation and recordkeeping regarding sale negotiations—a finding the government immediately acted on—she did not find any evidence of fraud or corrupt behaviour on the part of LDA officials.
Mr Coe interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Coe, you were heard in silence.
MR BARR: Aquis Entertainment does not hold any rights over block 24 section 65; it has never held a lease, a licence or any interests over part of this land. Aquis does have rights over the Glebe Park site block 16 section 65. This important point has again been reinforced by the Director-General of the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate in a letter to the committee inquiry. In his letter he makes clear that the property rights referred to are those sought by Aquis but never granted by government.
The government has released to the Auditor-General and the committee inquiry currently underway all relevant material regarding the LDA’s role. I have openly and willingly answered every question posed by members in this place and in the committee hearings now over several years. I instructed the Head of Service to immediately implement an independent review of the LDA’s activities and processes conducted by the former commonwealth Auditor-General Ian McPhee, and then the government implemented all of his recommendations.
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