Page 1424 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 14 May 2014
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that Mr Smyth and the Canberra Liberals were trying to deflect the failings of the federal government to support a major new infrastructure project—in fact, any new infrastructure projects in the ACT—and attempt to blame the territory government. The government will not be supporting Mr Smyth’s motion and I now move the amendment tabled in my name:
Omit all words after “from the Canberra business community”, substitute:
“(b) the Government’s ongoing commitment for a new Convention Centre;
(c) the ALP/Greens Parliamentary Agreement includes progressing the Convention Centre project to an investment ready stage; and
(d) that the Government has identified a prime site at an apex of the Parliamentary Triangle, has invested in an Australia Forum scoping study, conducted a workshop with industry experts and key stakeholders to review and confirm the functional requirements for the Convention Centre and is progressing a functional brief reference design and business case; and
(2) calls on all Members of the Assembly to advocate for Federal Government support of the Convention Centre project.”.
We do agree with one thing, Madam Speaker, that the opposition has raised this morning: yes, it is broadly acknowledged that there is support within the business community for a new convention centre. Chris Faulks in an ABC article on 12 May was quoted as saying:
The reality is that we need to diversify our economy and what we’re asking for is just a little bit of support from the federal government as they would support any city that has been affected by job losses.
We see the absolute failure of the commonwealth government on this matter, a failure firstly to offer any new infrastructure projects for the ACT given that this community is bearing a disproportionate burden of the federal budget cuts announced last night, the failure of the Canberra Liberals and, indeed, Senator Seselja to be able to win any support from the federal government for this. I understand that Senator Seselja has said to Fairfax Press that he does not get any special access and nor do other backbenchers. There are probably a few people in the Liberal Party who will be reflecting upon the decision to preselect him and not Gary Humphries as a result of that particular admission.
It proves yet again that Canberra does better under Labor governments. Everyone knows it. Deep down everyone knows it; the business community knows it; Canberrans know it. That was a sentiment that came through very strongly as a result of what the Liberals did to this city last night. Let us be very clear: the ACT government is a strong supporter of the Australia forum project and it has been our financial support and the work of ACT public servants behind the scenes that has allowed significant progress to be made in advancing the new convention and exhibition centre.
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