Page 2557 - Week 09 - Thursday, 16 September 2021

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I support the Australian Unemployed Workers Union and their call to pull people out of poverty, because it will help make the ACT community safer and because it is the right thing to do. Am I sure that the ACT government is able to plug the gap left by the federal government’s dereliction of duty? No. The ACT government lacks the financial means of the commonwealth. The ACT government lacks the legal and administrative mechanisms of the commonwealth—for example, the bank account details of these individuals. Even if the ACT had all of these things, it would be dependent on the act of cooperation of the commonwealth, which is showing no inclination to help these people—fellow Canberrans who have a right to a dignified life.

I am calling for sustained advocacy to the federal government to make all the pandemic-related federal government supports available to those who are on income supports and also to increase all social security payments, so they provide a liveable income of at least $80 a day, enabling recipients to live above the poverty line. I raise this petition unsure of what more the ACT government can do, but in the spirit of calling on the ACT government to leave no stone unturned and no opportunity overlooked in looking at how these people can be helped. It is in that spirit that I commend the petition to the Assembly.

Municipal services—cycle lanes—petition 25-21

MRS KIKKERT (Ginninderra) (10.12): Today I present a petition signed by certain residents of the ACT asking this Assembly to improve bicycle routes along Drake Brockman Drive and Southern Cross Drive. The bicycle routes along Drake Brockman Drive are faded and narrow. With the forthcoming duplication of Drake Brockman Drive and William Hovell Drive, it is important that we have dedicated off-road bicycle lanes for the safety of both cyclists and drivers. In addition, the bicycle routes along Southern Cross Drive are fragmented and would benefit from being made contiguous.

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my thanks to the community members who raised these issues with me, and to thank the Ginninderry planners who readily made themselves available to discuss the Drake Brockman duplication and for the efforts they have taken to consult with the community and myself on the project. It is my pleasure to represent these residents. I commend this petition to the Assembly.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Health and Community Wellbeing—Standing Committee

Report 2

MS DAVIS (Brindabella) (10.13): I present the following report:

Health and Community Wellbeing—Standing Committee—Report 2—Report on Inquiry into the Carers Recognition Bill 2021, dated 24 August 2021, together with a copy of the extracts of the relevant minutes of proceedings—


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