Page 3344 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 19 August 2009
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The point to make here is that Mr Seselja opposed the stimulus package. He opposed it. He had to do a backflip. He had to do a little bit of opposition for opposition’s sake at the time because, under the doctrine of opposition for opposition’s sake, he cannot credit the excellent work of the Treasurer, Ms Gallagher.
By contrast with the dazed and confused Liberals, the community loves the new buildings in its schools. I quote the ACT council of parents and citizens, who describe this investment package as “a once in a 100 year opportunity for our schools” and an opportunity that “we can’t let pass by”. Elizabeth Singer said at the time:
The Minister for Education has identified changes … that are needed for the ACT Government to spend this money in time, for the benefit of our schools and the community.
John Miller, from the Master Builders Association, said:
The Government’s hell bent on making sure that we can actually get this work rolling out the door
The MBA said:
We support the Government, we support moves to make sure that we’re in a position to actually act on it, and we don’t have to hand back money to the Commonwealth that otherwise could be spent in the territory.
The chair of the ACT Block Grants Authority noted the tight deadlines associated with this funding and said he was pleased that the planning regulations could be changed to expedite applications.
And Mr Chris Peters, the Chief Executive of the ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, wrote to me about the position that was being taken by the Liberals and said that it was “another case of politics getting in the way of sensible outcomes”.
How did the Liberals end up in such a mess? It really is hard to blame a leader as weak as Mr Seselja or a shadow minister as dozy as Mr Doszpot.
Mrs Dunne: Relevance, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Barr! I think you have drifted a long way from reflecting on community views on your education package.
MR BARR: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think the real driver is the black hand of Mr Smyth. That is right: the biggest loser is their biggest strategist.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Barr!
MR BARR: There is a lesson, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Barr, resume your seat. Are you going to return to the question?
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