Page 5210 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 29 November 2017
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the extended through-care program which have shown reductions in the rate of repeat offending from those who have been involved in the program. Substantial reductions, real numbers that have been measured through evaluation processes, show us that this sort of investment has a payback both in economic terms and in social terms.
We have just had the report from the select committee which I chair. With four of my colleagues we have come out with a unanimous report on establishing an integrity commission in the ACT. This is an important initiative for the territory, designed to be both preventative and reactive. I made some comments on this in the Assembly the other week when we tabled the report. I think it is about having mechanisms so that when people have allegations or have concerns there is a suitable forum for them to be tested, so that the community can have confidence that if there are people doing the wrong thing there is a mechanism for that to be found out. It would also have a preventative role so that people can have confidence that there are strong signals being sent that corruption and related activities are not welcome in this city and that we have the power and the mechanisms to root it out where it may be taking place.
I conclude my remarks today by simply observing that there are many things that Canberra can be proud of. Mr Pettersson listed quite a few of them in his motion today. I welcome the opportunity to positively reflect on some of those, because they are real achievements both of this government and of our community. But I also reflect on the fact that there are many things that we must continue to strive for. There will always be areas where we must continue to work. I am very happy to be part of this place and to have the opportunity to be involved in the solutions to some of those difficult matters for which we need to find further solutions. The Greens will be supporting Mr Pettersson’s motion today.
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism and Major Events) (10.44): I thank Mr Pettersson for raising these matters today. It is always instructive when listening to the diverse views of members in this place to get a sense of the perspective they bring to their roles as elected members and also, I guess, their fundamental outlook on life and on this city. Whilst it is acknowledged and understood that when one occupies the opposition benches the default starting point must be one of negativity, there are, of course, degrees of negativity. At times you would certainly think that those opposite could bring themselves to find something positive about the city of Canberra.
Mrs Dunne: It is not the city of Canberra; it is the people who govern it.
MR BARR: I rest my case, Madam Speaker. I need not do any more than acknowledge the churlish interjections of a veteran of this place who should know better.
I will make a statement that I hope no one opposite could possibly disagree with—that is, we live in one of the best cities in the world. Silence; wonderful. We are a proudly progressive city, and that upsets some people, particularly a few opposite. I acknowledge that. That we recorded the highest yes vote in the non-binding voluntary postal survey on marriage equality is a matter of great pride for all progressive Canberrans and clearly a matter of great disappointment and great hurt for
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