Page 3073 - Week 08 - Thursday, 16 August 2018
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I also wish to follow on from some of the comments made by Ms Lawder. There are large sections of the community in the ACT and across the country who are deeply conflicted and deeply troubled about the issues of euthanasia. Ms Lawder touched on the disability community, and we have had very powerful evidence from members of the disability community. Not everybody in the disability community holds the same view, but there are many in the disability community who are very strong advocates against euthanasia because they feel that their lives already are not valued enough.
There are also groups in the Indigenous community. Senator Dodson last night and, during the passage of the Andrews bill, Senator Collins from the Northern Territory, spoke about the problems and the vulnerabilities of Indigenous people. I think that that also extends to the multicultural community, where many have come with quite strong religious beliefs but also a concern that perhaps their lack of being able to manage English on important issues might leave them vulnerable.
These are all issues that we need to consider. I thank most of the members for their respectful participation in the debate, and I thank my colleagues for the opportunity to express my views on this important issue.
Debate interrupted in accordance with standing order 74 and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour.
Sitting suspended from 12.37 to 2.30 pm.
Questions without notice
Land—valuations
MR COE: My question is to the Treasurer. What is the process the government uses to determine the AUV of new blocks of land after they have been sold and settled?
MR BARR: There is an independent valuation process through the revenue office. I will provide the details of that process to the Assembly.
MR COE: Treasurer—and if you have to take this on notice, please do—how does the ACT government factor in scarcity for government land sales so that there are not major disparities between recently sold land and nearby blocks?
MR BARR: I will take that on notice.
MR PARTON: Will Canberra families that pay top dollar for land be punished every year through rates based on your inflated sale prices? Again, this refers to blocks where there is a major disparity with nearby blocks.
MR BARR: I do not believe so.
Environment—Lake Burley Griffin
MS LE COUTEUR: My question is to the Minister for Regulatory Services, including the Environment Protection Authority, and relates to Lake Burley Griffin.
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