Page 260 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 15 February 2012
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MR SESELJA (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (8.28): We note the absence of Mr Hargreaves in this debate tonight. No doubt he has decided that he does not have to represent the people of Brindabella anymore, including the people of Tuggeranong. He has not been seen in the electorate for a long time. I think it is worth reflecting on the wonderful representation Mr Smyth and Mr Doszpot give the people of Brindabella and, particularly in the context of this motion, the people of Tuggeranong. They are passionate advocates for their community, and I certainly look forward to the opportunity, having been a lifelong Tuggeranong resident, to also be a representative, hopefully, of Brindabella and the good people of Tuggeranong and south Woden.
I thank Mr Smyth for bringing this motion forward. I had the opportunity to attend the Tuggeranong Community Council with Mr Smyth as well and to hear from the residents about what it is they need from the government and what are some of the key issues for them. My list is similar to Mr Smyth’s, so I will not repeat a lot of it, but there were certainly issues raised where the Canberra Liberals were able to give some response and some assistance—things like parking in the town centre, an issue the Canberra Liberals have been raising publicly to try to get it fixed. There is also the issue of green bins. We pointed out when sports oval fees were raised the Canberra Liberals’ plan to cut in half the amount clubs are charged for the use of ovals. This is a big issue, not just in Tuggeranong but right around Canberra.
We know that in Tuggeranong there are many, many thousands of young families who play junior sport and who pay too much. I know from my own involvement with the Valley Dragons that the amount that is being charged to the Valley Dragons in recent years has gone through the roof, and Mr Barr was quite dismissive of those increases when the matter was put to him. But these are real cost of living issues for the people in the Tuggeranong Valley. If you have got to pay that extra $30, $40, $50 in registration fees when you are on a tight budget, there is less for other things, and sometimes kids miss out on playing sport because of the higher costs associated with that. We are going to do all we can—all around Canberra but in this case in the Tuggeranong Valley—to ensure that more young people can access ovals and sporting facilities.
One issue which Mr Smyth may not have mentioned when he went through the list that was fed back to us was the surcharge on rego. The question was put straight to us by the community: “Why should we have to pay that $100 a year if you are paying—
Mr Corbell: Ask Brendan Smyth. He introduced it.
MR SESELJA: Well, we are committed to getting rid of it. You have had 11 years, and we are very proud of the fact—
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order, members!
Members interjecting—
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