Page 1968 - Week 07 - Thursday, 13 August 2020

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“Yes, we listened to the community. We seriously listened to the community. We did our normal processes and this is what has happened.” If the planning minister has faith in the planning system, that is what the planning minister should do.

MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Manager of Government Business, Minister for Advanced Technology and Space Industries, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for Urban Renewal) (3.11), in reply: I make no apology for using my powers under the Planning and Development Act 2007. What we have seen from Ms Le Couteur today is another demonstration that she is happy to talk about public housing but she is not so keen on the delivery.

This government is proud to deliver on its promises. The government has done at least four rounds of consultation on this project. We also gave the community the chance to have their say when we made this commitment as part of the 2016 election. I listened to the community in making this decision. My responsiveness to their concerns is evident in the decision itself, and we have committed to preserving heritage and trees.

The project will provide 40 homes, mostly for women and children. The government is providing homes for vulnerable members of the community. It is close to the Dickson walk-in centre, which will be opening shortly. It is close to public transport, shops and services. Ms Le Couteur seems keen on grandstanding about public housing but fights against it every time it is being built. Again, I am proud to have played a part in ensuring that this development gets built as soon as possible.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Our Booris, Our Way review—government response

That the Assembly take note of the following paper:

Our Booris, Our Way Review—Recommendations—Government response, dated July 2020.

MS STEPHEN-SMITH (Kurrajong—Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Children, Youth and Families and Minister for Health) (3.12): I am pleased that Mr Gentleman today tabled the final government response to the Our Booris, Our Way review. The Our Booris, Our Way review is significant in that it was established as a wholly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander co-designed and then led review. The process of government handing over the decision-making levers to guide the solutions on new initiatives has been groundbreaking and it has been necessary.

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