Page 4379 - Week 15 - Tuesday, 19 November 1991
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NEW CONSERVATIVE GROUP
Statement by Member
MRS NOLAN: Mr Speaker, I seek leave to make a statement regarding the formation of the New Conservative Group.
Leave granted.
MRS NOLAN: I thank members. I will be fairly brief. On 4 November 1991 the Electoral Commissioner, as delegate of the Australian Electoral Commission, determined that the New Conservative Group be entered in the Australian Capital Territory register of political parties. As founder of the group, I would like to take this opportunity today to announce officially the formation of the group, even though our first public statement was made on 11 October. The group will be standing candidates at the next ACT election - me, Fran James, Wendy Carlton and Rita Cameron. We are a group of like-minded individuals with experience and extensive knowledge of community needs.
During the last 2 years we have seen three ACT governments. Unfortunately, the community has often experienced individual interests and quests for power taking precedence over their issues and concerns. On the other hand, rigid party policy has also at times stood in the way of effective and representative decision making. The way the Labor Government handled the Stromlo and Holder campuses decision, even though the majority of the community supported the amalgamation taking place next year, is a perfect example of rigid party policy. It is about time the hot air stopped and the action started.
The New Conservatives recognise that actions speak louder than words, and both the Labor and Liberal parties have been long on rhetoric in government. Not only does the community need to be listened to; they also need to be heard. There are many people and many groups out there in the community who are suggesting genuine solutions to their problems. They must be listened to and then they must be heard. The New Conservatives are about individual freedom of choice and individual responsibility.
We care about quality education for our children; quality health care, which should be and currently is not available to the community; jobs, in particular employment for our young people. We care and are appalled that the tourism industry, Canberra's major private sector employer, received a $1m funding cut in this budget. Fewer marketing dollars mean an immediate reduction in the number of jobs available for our young people. Tourism at least received recognition in a statement the Chief Minister made in her budget speech, but in Trevor Kaine's reply there was not a single word. It would appear that the Liberal Party does not care about Canberra. I was a long-time member of the Liberal Party, but I found it impossible to work with Trevor Kaine. I know the way he operates. The community takes second place to arrogant decision making.
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