Page 2557 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 31 July 2019
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for that long, especially when the government is happy to splash cash on other pet projects.
After we heard that the government had spent $447,000 on a launch party, I received a flurry of complaints. The recent announcement of upgrades planned to an existing park in the town centre running up to $1 million was, for many, the last straw. We have seen several local businesses close in recent months and there have been many more on the brink. We have seen people lose their life savings and they are now trying to find alternative careers, forced to give up the dream that they had fought so hard to establish.
Restaurants, cafes and retail stores: we are talking about the little guys, not the chains who may be better equipped to weather the storm. And it has been a storm, a hurricane, that has left a wake of destruction behind it. It is a storm that still rumbles in the north of Canberra as construction continues, despite light rail being operational.
A saying that I like to remember in the way I approach my work and my life is, “The past is where you learned the lessons and the future is where you apply them.” This was an opportunity to get to the crux of what happened for local businesses during this project.
I can only hope that this next review might deliver some useful results. I am pleased that the scope and methodology of the 12-month review will be tabled in November 2019, and I will keep putting pressure on the government to follow through on what they have promised today. I remind the minister that he has promised to proactively consult with local businesses, including those who have ceased operations. You can take it to the bank that I will be holding you to account on that commitment.
Amendment agreed to.
Original question, as amended, resolved in the affirmative.
Adjournment
Motion (by Mr Steel) proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Mr Bruce Carmichael
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for the Arts and Cultural Events, Minister for Building Quality Improvement, Minister for Business and Regulatory Services, Minister for Government Services and Procurement and Minister for Seniors and Veterans) (5.42): I rise to recognise a person who has made a remarkable contribution to the performing arts in the ACT and beyond, retiring Canberra Theatre Centre Director, Bruce Carmichael. Few people have had such a long and varied career in the theatre industry as Bruce or such a range and depth of experience in that industry. While Bruce is unfortunately unable to be here today as he
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