Page 398 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 21 February 1990
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the Government proposes to have Executive Deputies chairing committees which are within their portfolio interest. I await clarification on that matter and on others, as I have written to you, Mr Speaker, quite properly.
VERY FAST TRAIN PROJECT
MS FOLLETT (Leader of the Opposition) (12.10), by leave: On behalf of Mr Whalan, I move:
That this Assembly calls on the Government to -
(1) encourage public support for the Very Fast Train project;
(2) undertake specific studies on environmental and planning issues associated with the project; and
(3) make representations to the Commonwealth Government with a view to seeking a co-ordinated national approach to development of the project.
I am very pleased to have the opportunity of speaking on the issue of the very fast train and to welcome the Alliance Government's recent statements of its in-principle support for the very fast train project which, as I am sure members are aware, was my Government's position as well. But I am sure it is clear to members on both sides of the Assembly that that support must be tempered by the need for a complete assessment of the economic, social and environmental impact of the project - not only on Canberra, not only in our own backyard, but also on the whole of Australia. On the economic front, of course, the very fast train offers the ACT a great number of advantages, particularly in the construction phase and potentially also in the operational phase.
I think it has been said before that the potential of the VFT for the ACT is perhaps greater than its potential in other States; it could mean more to us than anywhere else. However, I do not believe that we should kid ourselves that the development of high speed communication links, such as the very fast train, will only produce benefits through decentralisation of industries from major population centres. There is also the prospect that some of Canberra's role as a regional centre may be lost to the Sydney and Melbourne head offices. That is an issue that has been raised publicly and one of which we, as an Assembly, need to be aware. The benefits may well be outweighed there.
One of the major issues and a major issue of importance is the method by which the very fast train and its associated infrastructure is to be financed. I am sure all members will be aware that from its inception, this project was stated as being carried out at no cost to governments. It
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