Page 2789 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 13 September 1994

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That the ACT Government conduct a public inquiry into all aspects of current and future urban transport needs in the ACT.

Why do you not ask Mr De Domenico what sort of an inquiry he is planning to have - whether it would be a cosy little in-house inquiry like the Priorities Review Board inquiry which was conducted under the Alliance Government, or whether it would be a full public inquiry where all views are represented, not just the Liberals' privatising ideology?

Public Consultation

MR BERRY: My question is to the Deputy Chief Minister. Can the Minister inform the Assembly of the results of public consultation on ACT services under his responsibility and demonstrate our further commitment to consultation with the community?

MR LAMONT: I thank the member for his question. It is appropriate, considering the chatter from across the chamber, that this question has been asked today. The simple fact is that this Government, through its budgetary process, has embarked upon a high degree of public consultation in arriving at the outcomes announced in that budget process.

Mr Kaine: That myth has been shattered many times.

MR LAMONT: I hear the things that chatter across the road here nerding on at the moment about this and that. They do not want to hear. They simply do not want to hear what the reality is as far as this Government's commitment to public consultation is concerned.

Mr Kaine: I raise a point of order, Mr Acting Speaker. What we would like to hear is some facts, instead of this sham consultation that the members of the Government constantly carp about.

MR ACTING SPEAKER: I am sure that Mr Lamont is coming to the facts.

MR LAMONT: I thank you, Mr Acting Speaker. I also would thank you for drawing attention to the words "this sham public consultation", the words uttered by Mr Kaine. I could understand why he is a bit confused at the moment. He is probably undecided as to whom to vote for for deputy leader of the Opposition in Gary's challenge - whether he is going to back Gary or back Dipper. Have you decided that yet? Have you really decided? Are you going to consult publicly about it?

MR ACTING SPEAKER: Order! Relevance, Mr Minister, please.

MR LAMONT: In relation to the public consultation and the nonsense which has just been uttered by Mr Kaine, I was quite fortunate today to attend the Excellence in Public Management awards run by the Institute of Public Administration in Australia. At those awards, recognition of this Government's contribution in relation to public consultation was clearly identified by that organisation. I will read it out to you, if I may, Mr Acting Speaker.


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