Page 3089 - Week 14 - Thursday, 7 December 1989
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issues of private members' business listed, and they are all on extremely important issues.
The Government may not have any business. It is understandable that this Government would not have any business at this early stage. I am not suggesting that they are slow starters or anything; the fact is that it takes a short time. Surely, with their experience in opposition, they should be able to come to terms with the delivery of government business fairly quickly, but one can expect that there needs to be a short time.
However, in relation to private members' business, Mr Speaker, I think it is important that the opposition members are able to proceed in presenting that business to the Assembly and that it is dealt with in the interests of the people of Canberra. So far, all that we have seen from the Government is a desire not to allow the opposition to present issues of importance to this Assembly.
I note, just to touch on a few of those issues, Mr Speaker, that Mr Stevenson wants to present a Bill for an Act to amend the Publication Control Act. I understand that has to do with X-rated videos, an issue that should be near to the heart of the new Chief Minister, although it might demonstrate the gap between him and his new deputy.
Mr Collaery: It's three feet.
MR BERRY: I would say it is probably a chasm, unless there has been some changing of colour amongst the lizards again.
Mr Whalan has presented some issues on the notice paper. The first one that I see, Mr Speaker, is that the Assembly acknowledges the need for policies which will increase and diversify the opportunities for employment in the ACT; further acknowledges that the Civic Square redevelopment project will provide 2,700 jobs during the construction phase and 1,800 permanent jobs following the completion of the project; and declares its support for the redevelopment of Civic Square, including the construction of a casino.
I think that is a very important issue for the people of Canberra to fully understand because of the uncertainty which has been created by the very obvious differences with the Residents Rally party, now that they are part of the Liberal coalition. Of course we and the rest of Canberra - and the business sector, I might add - want to see what the differences are between the Liberals and the Residents Rally in their new coalition. Obviously the Government seeks to maintain the uncertainty for the building industry.
The Opposition is about trying to ensure that there is stability - stability for workers, stability for business - and an assured future for Canberra. The opposition seems scared, frightened, to debate these issues.
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