Page 34 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 7 April 1992
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Canberra protesting or making their points in relation to events in such places as Croatia and Macedonia. Indeed, members of this Assembly have, on occasion, been part of those protests, which have been peaceful and dignified and appropriately conducted.
Yesterday's attack on the embassy causes us real concern. It is the first occasion when there has been an orchestrated set of attacks on embassies around the world, including Canberra. Canberra does not have a diplomatic enclave as such. While there are a number of embassies concentrated in Yarralumla, there are also diplomatic premises in the suburbs of Forrest, Red Hill and O'Malley and other parts of Canberra. They are ordinary residential streets, Madam Speaker, with ordinary Canberra citizens residing in those streets. We are fortunate that firearms were not involved in this incident. If there were any future incident, residents would have real cause for concern.
I had a briefing this morning from the Chief Police Officer in relation to the incident. The Commonwealth Government has indicated that it is seeking a full report from its agencies in relation to the chronology of events leading up to the attack yesterday and proposed responses to ensure that diplomatic premises are better protected, and so that the citizens of Canberra are better protected. I am assured that the ACT Government will be consulted in relation to that matter and that the AFP will advise us fully on the Commonwealth's appropriate responses.
I would intend, when that briefing has been provided to me, in the first instance to provide the briefing to the Opposition and to other Assembly members as requested. I can assure Ms Ellis that the Government viewed yesterday's incident most seriously and will be cooperating most fully with the Commonwealth Government to ensure that appropriate procedures are in place to protect both embassies and Canberra citizens.
Road Safety - Calwell Primary School
MS SZUTY: I wish to address my question without notice to the Minister for Urban Services, Mr Connolly. Is the Minister aware of the report on the front page of today's Valley View concerning the intention of parents to blockade Downard Street in Calwell because of the Government's inability to address the problem of dangerous access by children attending Calwell Primary School? Could the Minister please advise whether due consideration has been given to the installation of a pedestrian crossing or school zone, or of any other measures taken to protect the safety of children attending Calwell Primary School?
MR CONNOLLY: I thank Ms Szuty for her question. It is the first question she has asked in the Assembly. I am sure that during Ms Szuty's service in the Assembly she will see many media stories and she will get to recognise a beat-up when she sees one. I think I have been around long enough to recognise a beat-up when I see one. The beat-up in today's Valley View is the most outrageous beat-up that I have ever seen in the Canberra media. The Valley View did not contact my office for comment on that article. They have a most artfully contrived photograph, with a small kiddie clutching desperately to the "Keep Left" sign in the centre of the road, described as another near miss.
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