Page 178 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 12 February 2020
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
direct-to-the-public trade, was impacted through that January period. I was speaking to a local businessperson down at the Chisholm shops. He was down 50 per cent on trade for the January period when compared to last year in his key-cutting kiosk and shoe repair business. Across the territory, regardless of the sector, during January people stayed home in Canberra or did not come on holidays here to the ACT.
Likewise, I was speaking to the Tharwa Valley Forge. The operator there indicated to me that before the Orroral Valley Fire ignited and became such an incident he had experienced a 70 per cent cancellation rate over the December-January period simply because people were scared of what might come. The most important message from here on in is, “Canberra is open for business. Canberra is ready to take your booking; Canberra is ready for you to come to try a new experience. Visit one of our local attractions, one of our local museums or galleries, or go on a tour.” A holiday where you live is a great opportunity to see the city through a whole different lens. That is certainly the cry that all of us should be echoing to our constituents from here on. Certainly, I would like to see the government doing more to support local businesses, but the proof will be in the pudding, come October, as to how they feel about that package.
I will conclude my remarks there, but my statement contrasts with what the Chief Minister said. He did write to the Prime Minister in January but, after speaking with Andrew Colvin, Senator Cash and Senator Seselja over the past couple of weeks about where the ACT was tracking in regards to establishing this package, I have learnt that as of Friday afternoon the ACT government still had not taken the decision as to whether it would enact the disaster funding agreement and whether these opportunities would be made available for Canberra businesses. I believe that without the actions taken by me and the Canberra Liberals this week to promote the need for Canberra businesses to have access to these supports and these subsidies, there would have been a continued silence on the government’s part.
Amendment agreed to.
Original question, as amended, resolved in the affirmative.
Lawson—parking
MRS KIKKERT (Ginninderra) (3.31): I move:
That this Assembly:
(1) notes that:
(a) stage one of the new suburb of Lawson includes 19 blocks of medium-density multi-unit developments, primarily located in the vicinity of Wanderlight and Stockman Avenues;
(b) according to the Lawson Estate Plan, stage two of the suburb has been zoned for more medium-density multi-unit developments as well as high-density multi-unit developments; and
(c) dozens of current Lawson residents have contacted the Canberra Liberals to complain that the suburb lacks adequate designated parking for both
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video