Page 93 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 12 February 2008
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Environment, Water and Climate Change, Minister for the Arts) (5.21): I am more than delighted to have an opportunity to speak on this matter of public importance to discuss my government’s decision making or decision-making processes, but before getting to the nub of the issue I note that it is perhaps somewhat ironic that it is Mr Pratt who has moved this motion.
I guess it is not all that relevant to dwell unnecessarily on the decision-making processes employed by Mr Pratt but, for instance, there was his decision to obliterate a commissioned piece of public art in his quest for momentary hero status. There was a decision-making process there that led to that sort of behaviour. And we are not entirely sure what decision-making processes the Liberal Party used or utilised in undermining the single most effective Liberal parliamentary performer, Mr Mulcahy—a decision the ramifications of which we saw begin to be played out just today.
In relation to Mr Pratt’s other decision-making processes, there has been very heavy reference today in relation to decision making and decision-making processes on the Tharwa bridge decision. As Dr Foskey has just mentioned, there has been a range of consultation over the period. It is relevant to go back to the decision making or the decisions announced by Mr Pratt at the start of this particular issue in 2006. On 30 September 2006, Mr Pratt expressed the position of the Liberal Party in relation to the Tharwa bridge in these terms:
Shadow Minister for Urban Services and Member for Brindabella, Steve Pratt, said today he was hopeful the Government will consider fast tracking the building of a new bridge at Tharwa. …
“I am led to believe that Minister Hargreaves is submitting a proposal for a new bridge to cabinet this week. If that is the case, well done Minister.
Mr Pratt was referring to Minister Hargreaves. In September 2006, Mr Pratt said:
… I call upon the Stanhope Government to stop procrastinating as they have done … and expedite the sign off on a new and urgent two lane concrete bridge which is so badly needed by the community of Tharwa …
That was Steve Pratt speaking on behalf of the Liberal Party. The Liberal Party’s decision, which reflects the ultimate end of their decision-making processes in relation to Tharwa bridge, was expressed by the then shadow Liberal spokesperson on behalf of the Liberal Party in these terms, and I repeat the statement:
I am led to believe that Minister Hargreaves is submitting a proposal for a new bridge to cabinet … If that is the case, well done Minister. Therefore, I call upon the Stanhope Government to stop procrastinating—
and to build “a new and urgent two lane concrete bridge” for the people of Tharwa. “It’s so urgently needed,” he said. Then he said:
The Stanhope Government is clearly wrapped up in inane bureaucracy, red tape and conservation and ecology issues … which must be swept to one side in the interest of Tharwa community’s safety.
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