Page 1380 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to capitalise—if you will excuse the pun—on this significant milestone. With a diverse program of events, the centenary year will appeal to a range of audiences and special interests, and, as I said at the outset, this government will continue to work to maximise the opportunities that the centenary year presents in increasing tourist visitation in the nation’s capital.
MR SMYTH (Brindabella) (10.59): I thank Ms Porter for putting this motion on the notice paper today. This is indeed a very important motion, and 2013 is a very important year for this city because it is our centenary and it is a great opportunity to reassess where we have been and where we are going. But it is not just a local thing; the important thing about this is that it is the centenary of the federal government saying that the nation’s capital of one of the newest nations on earth at the time would be in a place called Canberra.
I have some concerns about the federal government’s commitment to this celebration, and I will be moving some amendments in a few moments to further the appreciation of what it is that we are celebrating and, indeed, calling on the federal government to fully commit to it.
As Ms Porter said, yes, the Prime Minister did on Monday, 12 March this year make a statement of commitment to Canberra at the launch for the centenary of Canberra. It is worth reading a few paragraphs, because in one of the paragraphs the Prime Minister said:
I know you are preparing a strong program of events and commemorative projects …
I thought there was a working group on this, a federal working group, and I thought that might have been “we”—both the federal and the ACT governments. It is quite clear that the federal government have abrogated their responsibility in this case. The speech then goes on:
I’m also delighted the Commonwealth has been able to make a contribution through the redevelopment of Constitution Avenue and the National Arboretum.
Well, the redevelopment of Constitution Avenue payment is money the Howard government had in their budget that was taken out by the Rudd government. It is restoration of funding that had already been agreed to and really is not a contribution to the celebrations of the centenary—in many ways it is the federal government paying their way. We acknowledge the $20 million for the National Arboretum.
The speech goes on:
Today I commit the Commonwealth to continuing to build and grow the nation’s capital, its cultural institutions and its role as the focus of ceremonial, parliamentary and national leadership.
I commit to Canberra remaining the heart of the Australian Public Service and the primary location of government departments and agencies.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video