Page 2999 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 5 December 1989
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Mr Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to thank my Labor colleagues. We have been and will continue to be a strong and cohesive team. Our Government has been supported by an apolitical public service of high quality and high integrity. It has been a pleasure to work with them. I also have the pleasure of working for the people of Canberra, the citizens of this Territory in which I grew up and which I love. I am happy with the support they are giving me.
Suspension of Standing and Temporary Orders
Motion (by Mr Berry) agreed to:
That so much of the standing and temporary orders be suspended as would prevent Ms Follett from concluding her speech.
MS FOLLETT: Mr Speaker, I can assure you that I will continue to work for the people of Canberra, no matter what the result in today's ballot. Prior to the election and since, I have spoken to many of the people of Canberra, on the streets, at meetings and in their homes. The message I received from all of these people was simple. They said that they love Canberra, and they love Canberra as it is. They said to me, "Rosemary, don't change Canberra".
They had of course some genuine concerns - concerns about safety at work, overdevelopment, rates and taxes, our health system, the effectiveness of our education system and, of course, our unique Canberra environment, but above all they are concerned about being consulted and being involved in decisions that affect them.
The people of Canberra have said to me, Mr Speaker, that they do not want Canberra changed but they do want to be listened to. They said, both at the election and now, that they trust me to do that. I have accepted that trust and that confidence, and so has my Government. Whether or not I am the Chief Minister is not important. What is important is that the people of Canberra are put first, that their needs and concerns are addressed and rectified.
Mr Speaker, it is because I care about the views of the people that I represent that I object to this motion. This motion is not just one of confidence; it is about the future direction of our fragile community. We cannot afford to indulge in the divisiveness and rapacity that this motion embraces. Mr Speaker, we need to build a better community to make life better for the people that we are elected to serve. We need to find common ground. Above all, Mr Speaker, we need to keep Canberra Canberra. The Labor Government, which it is my privilege to lead, offers the only chance of achieving that. I oppose the motion.
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