Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 10 Hansard (Tuesday, 24 August 2004) . . Page.. 4002 ..

I think we need to take a bit of a breath here. There is nobody in this place who does not accept that we have a growing problem and that we need to address that problem with some urgency. I do not think there is anybody here who genuinely misunderstands the complex relationships between the ACT and the Commonwealth. But let us be absolutely fair when we talk about this issue and recognise the steps that are being taken.

It is not true to suggest that nothing is being done. It is not true to suggest that ACTPLA officers are selectively using guidelines. It is not fair to suggest that anybody is thwarting any process. The government’s signalled intention to create a land bank will in fact go a long way towards addressing this issue. If such a land bank exists, the Commonwealth will not have an opportunity to continue the revolving door process. The land will be available, the allocations will be able to be made and then the providers can get on and build their services. It needs to be said that this government is taking the initiative in providing that particular opportunity to stop the revolving door process.

As a person in this place who is decidedly grey, I have a vested interest in this matter. I have older relatives who also have a vested interest. I urge the Assembly to recognise that our public housing system addresses the needs of the elderly from an independent living perspective. We do particularly well there. We need to recognise that this is an issue of great importance in the minds of our planners in both the Land Development Agency and ACTPLA itself.

I defy any member to step outside this chamber and say in public that the officers there do not regard this as a particularly serious issue and that they are not doing something about it. I would like them to tell me the names of those people who are thwarting this process, who are selectively using the guidelines. If any member chose to do so, those people would take great umbrage and visit their solicitor.

I think this is a good report. As I mentioned earlier, it actually says it how it is. I commend the report to the Assembly and I urge members not to use older people’s accommodation issue in this town as a method for scoring cheap political points. If we do not work together on this issue, if we start using this to compete for points, nothing will get done—nothing will get done because those opposite will make it more difficult for the bureaucrats to get on and do their job. I commend this report to the Assembly.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Planning and Environment—Standing Committee

Report 35

MS DUNDAS (11.05): I present the following report:

Planning and Environment—Standing Committee—Report 35—Variation to the Territory Plan No 241—Aged care facility, additional urban open space and expansion of Gossan Hill Nature Park, South Bruce, dated 23 August 2004, together with a copy of the extracts of the relevant minutes of proceedings.

I seek leave to move a motion authorising the report for publication.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .