Page 1970 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 15 June 1994
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As you have seen over recent years, the level of refurbishment in Manuka has contributed to Manuka's success as a vibrant centre within our urban framework. At the O'Connor shops we have got together with the community, individual organisations within the community and the shopkeepers to discuss ways in which the amenity at those shops can be improved - not just the physical infrastructure but the strategy dealing with outdoor cafes, the strategy dealing with parking and the strategy dealing with the maintenance of the built form as well.
This evening I will be attending a public meeting which has been called to discuss the implementation of the plans that have been broadly canvassed within the O'Connor community. I indicate that we have already commenced work in the O'Connor area by removing an old park structure which was regarded as unsafe. That was removed at the request of the community. I was only too happy, in my first days as Minister for Urban Services, to comply with that reasonable request and to assist the community in once again identifying with what is a very vibrant shopping centre. The O'Connor shops are dearly loved by most of the residents of O'Connor and the region. Residents are desirous of seeing that shopping centre continue to be a vibrant shopping centre.
I believe that this pilot program will establish the procedures that the administration will use to extend the refurbishment of our regional shopping centres throughout the ACT over the years ahead. I am hopeful that in the coming financial year we will be able to secure the restoration of O'Connor, Narrabundah, Hughes, Watson and possibly one other shopping centre.
Mr De Domenico: Are they not all in the one electorate?
Mr Humphries: They are all in the Molonglo electorate.
MR LAMONT: I hear bleats from the other side. I can understand why there is some confusion on the Opposition benches when one of your own leaders - and I presume now that we can refer to Wynken, Blynken and Nod - is basically saying, "I do not believe that it is the role of government to provide services". That is exactly what this Government is about. The pilot program, Mr Stevenson, will enable the Government to better focus those services and provide them at a level required by the community.
Police Budget
MR HUMPHRIES: My question is addressed to the Attorney-General. I refer to his media release yesterday entitled "Increased Police Budget", in which he trumpeted an increase of $295,000 in the police budget. Members will be aware that the budget for maintenance of law and order as set out in the budget papers, in fact, provides for a decrease in the total appropriation of some $1.759m. The Minister has indicated to me in writing that part of that difference is accounted for by the fact that we have only 26 pays in this financial year, not 27; but it still leaves an apparent reduction in the police budget of between $200,000 and $400,000 this year, which stands in contrast to his claim of a $300,000 increase this year. Can the Minister explain how it is that the budget papers are wrong, misleading or inadequate in explaining this apparent reduction in the Government's budget for policing in the Territory in 1994-95?
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