Page 421 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 2 March 1994
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Mr Humphries: When is the last one going?
MR WESTENDE: This coming winter. I have some parrots that like to eat the berries, and I am giving them one more chance. I also believe that as soon as possible the parks and gardens service should remove those invasive plants that have been allowed to flourish unchecked on road verges and public land. In this context - and I would like the Minister to listen - I mention that less than a year ago I observed new plants which I believed to be hawthorns being planted on the nature strip in Flinders Way, fronting the playground of the Canberra Grammar School. I know that there are a lot of other hawthorns, and those might have been replacing others that died. But should those hawthorns not be removed and a more friendly native species be planted in their place? Perhaps the Minister responsible would like to look into this matter.
The report goes on to make various recommendations about the dumping of waste and other refuse which might help the spread of invasive plants. It recommends that there should be consultation with nurseries, retailers, rural lessees and the Federal and New South Wales governments on various aspects of pest plant and animal control. It recommends the setting up of codes of practice for not stocking and selling those animals and plants which are identified as having a propensity and a potential to create pest animal and weed problems. The report also recommends weed control programs funded by the Federal Government. Mr Moore has adequately covered that already and suggested that we should seek funding.
Overall, I believe that the implementation of the committee's recommendations will enhance the quality of life in the ACT, not just for current generations but also for many generations to come. Like people before me, I would like to thank my fellow committee members, the chair, especially, and also Mr Symington for the work that he put into this report. I commend the report and its findings to this Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mr Wood) adjourned.
GOVERNMENT'S PRIORITIES FOR 1994 AND
AUTUMN LEGISLATION PROGRAM
Ministerial Statement and Paper
Debate resumed from 22 February 1994, on motion by Ms Follett:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
MRS CARNELL (Leader of the Opposition) (4.14): I welcome this opportunity to debate the Government's priorities for 1994 and its legislative program. However, I do not propose to spend all the time available to me today in a fruitless examination of the Chief Minister's so-called priorities for 1994. I would also like to briefly outline the Opposition's legislative agenda, an agenda which stands in stark contrast to the ideas - or lack of ideas - coming from Ms Follett and her Government; an agenda which shows my party's intention to pursue open and accountable government that is more accessible to Canberrans.
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