Page 2973 - Week 10 - Thursday, 16 August 1990

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recognised that the peninsula is within a designated area in the certified draft National Capital Plan and immediately approached the National Capital Planning Authority for discussions, quite properly.

These discussions led to a view that a study of the area, which included the peninsula but which should be more extensive, should be carried out. I understand that it includes other parts of the East Basin and possibly areas outside that as well. The NCPA, as the responsible planning authority, then took the initiative to prepare the brief for that study. The draft brief has been prepared and is currently being discussed with the ITPA.

The NCPA has sought to assist the Government's program, I am instructed, and the two planning authorities are working in close collaboration. I have to say that it is certainly my expectation that that collaboration will continue and that I accept the tenor of the instructions that I have had that it is the NCPA's desire to cooperate with the ACT Government's announced plans with respect to that peninsula.

It is not my expectation that the NCPA will be involved in a manner that is designed to frustrate the Government's announced intentions. It is certainly my hope that the study will allow the Government to continue to use the site for purposes relating to the health needs of the ACT community. I hope that clears up the ambiguity and doubt that have been generated in that area.

Electoral System - Referendum

MR STEVENSON: Mr Speaker, my question was to have been addressed to the Chief Minister, but I am happy if Mr Collaery would be good enough to take it. It concerns Canberrans having a say in their lives. As we know, the Commonwealth Government, as well as our ACT committee inquiry, recommended that Canberrans be allowed to have a referendum on our electoral system. Malcolm Mackerras has recently mentioned that there was a conspiracy between the two major parties to ensure that Canberrans did not have that opportunity and to do a deal between themselves because the Labor Party was concerned that the single electorate - - -

Mr Collaery: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: is this a question or a speech?

MR SPEAKER: Please get to your point, Mr Stevenson.

MR STEVENSON: I do not see why he would stop me at that time - perhaps a little later. The Labor Party was concerned that the single-member electorate might not get up while the Liberal Party was concerned that the proportional representation might not get up.


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