Page 132 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 14 February 1990
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MR KAINE: It is an entirely different question, Mr Speaker. But I think I have made quite clear that there has to be an equity of interest in planning in the ACT, with the interests of the Commonwealth in mind, because it is the national capital and the seat of government after all. But now nearly 300,000 people live in this city, and their interests as a community have to be represented. There has to be a balance between those two things. As long as the National Capital Plan and the territorial plan when they are finally produced - and that is not very far away - reflect the balance of those interests, this Government will be satisfied. But to the extent that there is an inequity and currently a strong perception that the National Capital Planning Authority is interpreting its legislation very much in its own favour and imposing undue constraint on what is being done within the ACT, whether through the ITPA or in any other way, then we will take exception to it, and we will negotiate until that particular oppressiveness is removed.
Waste Disposal
MRS NOLAN: My question is directed to the Minister for Finance and Urban Services, and it is in relation to urban services. There has been an amount of community concern in relation to tip charges. Does the Alliance Government intend to introduce charges at ACT tips?
MR DUBY: I thank Mrs Nolan for the question. There has been recent speculation in the media and various reports that this Government will privatise landfill or tip sites in the ACT or, alternatively, charge fees for the use of these tips. I am glad that the question has been asked, because there has been an amount of community concern about this matter. As you are aware, Mr Speaker, the Assembly's Standing Committee on Conservation, Heritage and Environment is currently conducting an inquiry into all aspects of waste management, including efficient waste disposal options. Until its recommendations come down, this Government is holding its options open in regard to a number of issues relating to the tip. We have made no decisions on the introduction of tip charges. However, I can categorically state to the Assembly today that it is not in this Government's agenda to privatise rubbish tips in the ACT. When those recommendations of the Standing Committee come down they will be considered and the opinions of relevant unions and other interested groups will be sought before any decisions are made by this Government.
Ms Follett: What about the tip charges?
MR DUBY: I think I have just answered that.
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