Page 627 - Week 02 - Thursday, 21 February 1991
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reason, against the introduction of public safety measures. I cannot, for the life of me, understand why. I know that in most regards Mrs Grassby is a reasonable person; someone who takes into account the safety of other persons. This diatribe that she has entered upon is simply beyond me.
Mr Collaery: It is election year.
MR DUBY: That may well be the point. This question also needs to be raised: Whilst Mrs Grassby and the Labor Opposition were in government, what steps were taken by them to improve the safety of the facility at the weir? None whatsoever. Yet these reports were available to them at the time. They were also familiar with the reports from the coroner, et cetera. Yet they now come out and say that there are ways that the weir can be made safe, contrary to the view of experts from all areas of expert opinion available. I repeat: There is a full weir 200 metres from this site and this decision does not, in any way, impinge upon the swimming facilities or recreational facilities available. Indeed, in my view, and in the view of the experts, not the people who just form opinions and mouth them, it will improve the facilities at Casuarina Sands and, hopefully, encourage people who enjoy outdoor activities like swimming in the Murrumbidgee to go back there to a safer, better place.
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT
Discussion of Matter of Public Importance
MR SPEAKER: I have received a letter from Ms Follett proposing that a matter of public importance be submitted to the Assembly for discussion, namely:
The failure of the Alliance Government to address the ACT's growing youth unemployment.
MS FOLLETT (Leader of the Opposition) (4.13): Mr Speaker, there has been considerable concern raised in our community over recent months about the growth in youth unemployment. This concern has been voiced by people across the whole spectrum of Canberra, with one notable exception. That exception is the ACT Government.
Whenever the issue is raised, the response from the Government is threefold. Mr Kaine has repeatedly asserted that there is no problem; there are simply normal, seasonal fluctuations. He says that our ACT economy is doing better than the national economy, so why worry; and that, if a problem exists, it is a national one and there is nothing that we can do.
Mr Speaker, this head in the sand approach is, in fact, nothing less than intellectual laziness; nothing less than intellectual dishonesty. This approach cannot continue. The Government must stop hiding behind feeble excuses and
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