Page 3858 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 25 September 2019
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who need to drive more that it makes great economic sense to be looking at the opportunities that come with zero emission vehicles.
MS CHEYNE: Minister, is there a proposal to force people out of their cars on certain days?
MR RATTENBURY: I thank Ms Cheyne for the question. There is no proposal to force people out of their vehicles. Again we have seen a misrepresentation of the way the climate strategy is set out. We are proposing to have car-free events—
Mr Coe interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Coe, that is enough.
MR RATTENBURY: We are proposing to have car-free events, just as we do now. Something like Enlighten at the moment closes down certain precincts of Canberra and closes streets off to enable public events to take place. Car-free events and days are globally recognised events where certain parts of cities have their roads closed to vehicle access to enable pedestrians to reclaim the streets, to have festivals and to do fun runs, for example, or to run marathons. All sorts of things happen, and they are actually incredibly popular with communities.
I can imagine a great event in Ms Cheyne’s electorate, in Ginninderra, where, in Belconnen town centre, a couple of streets might be blocked off so that a festival can take place, and people can come to use the space for community events. This is what we are talking about in the climate strategy. It is not what the Canberra Liberals are describing: banning people from using their cars. We have never said that. It is not in the strategy. They are making it up. They are a disgrace to public discourse.
Children and young people—government support
MS CHEYNE: My question is to the Minister for Children, Youth and Families. How is the ACT government empowering young Canberrans to make our community stronger and fairer, particularly for young people?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Ms Cheyne for the question. Unlike those opposite, the ACT government knows that children and young people in Canberra have legitimate issues and concerns that are important to them. One way the ACT government supports children and young people to share their passions and talents is through the youth interact grants. The youth interact grants program provides funding for innovative projects that enable young people aged 12 to 25 years to lead and participate in community development activities in the ACT.
The grants are available each year for individuals, groups and organisations helping to build a stronger community and invest in our future. Fifteen recipients were successful in the most recent round of youth interact grants showcasing the diverse range of concerns and ideas children and young people in Canberra have. These include: Young Women Speak Out for a podcasting project to provide a platform for young women to organise, produce and create their own material for the community
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