Page 3013 - Week 08 - Thursday, 15 August 2019
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Mrs Dunne: A point of order, Madam Speaker, I seek your guidance. I may have misheard, but I think that Minister Steel said the members of the opposition were untrustworthy. If that is the case—
MADAM SPEAKER: I did not hear that, Mrs Dunne.
Mrs Dunne: I am not sure I heard all the words accurately and I am open to being corrected, but if the minister said that the members of the opposition were untrustworthy I ask him to withdraw because it is unparliamentary.
MADAM SPEAKER: I did not hear it. I am happy to look at Hansard, but there was a lot of noise. Minister, do you have light to shed on that?
MR STEEL: If I suggested it I withdraw it, Madam Speaker. We—
Mrs Jones: Your time’s up.
MR STEEL: These are—
Mrs Jones: Time’s up.
MADAM SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
MR STEEL: Well, if you do not want to hear the answer that is fine. (Time expired.)
Municipal services—Fyshwick
MR WALL: My question is to the Minister for Transport and City Services. Minister, a number of commercial property owners in Fyshwick have raised concerns with me about the lack of maintenance of footpaths, driveways and car parks located on territory-owned land adjacent to their properties. Potholes and cracked footpaths, amongst other issues, pose safety hazards not only to customers but also to staff who work at these premises. Minister, on average, businesses in Fyshwick contribute $23,800 or more each financial year in commercial rates. Given the excessive commercial rates charged by your government to property owners in Fyshwick, why are basic maintenance and repairs on territory land in the area and adjacent to these premises not being undertaken?
MR STEEL: I thank Mr Wall for his question. I am very happy to hear about the specific issues that are arising in Fyshwick. If he wants to write to me, he can, or the businesses themselves can get in touch with me directly. I am happy to look at those issues. The government continues to work to maintain the substantial 3,000-kilometre and more roads and footpaths across the ACT. If there are issues that come to light I am happy to look at addressing those.
MR WALL: Minister, why is it incumbent upon leaseholders to raise concerns with the opposition and then put pressure on you as the minister in order to get things addressed?
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