Page 2087 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 6 August 2014
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which underpin the next stage of capital metro are taken with all the information available to the cabinet at the time, with all the risks outlined, all the benefits outlined and all the consequences of doing nothing, which presumably is the Liberal Party’s policy on the Gungahlin-Northbourne corridor that we would expect to see—a do-nothing policy, which is not something we accept. (Time expired.)
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Chief Minister, could you just remind the Assembly what the benefits of this project will be to the ACT?
MS GALLAGHER: I thank Dr Bourke for the question. Unlike our colleagues opposite, the government has a long-term vision for Canberra, and that long-term vision does include change to the way we currently live and the way the city is designed. We believe Canberra, as the nation’s capital, is deserving of a modern public transport system that builds upon the bus system that we have had in place since Canberra was established and that provides other benefits along that corridor and, indeed, across the city.
I was very heartened to hear of the consultations that have been had to date by capital metro that they are leading right across the city—the shopfront that they have had in Canberra where I have seen the updates coming in of people who are walking in and asking for information, the community sessions that they have held in Dickson, Gungahlin and on the weekend in Erindale; and I understand that on Friday they will be down in Tuggeranong—to actually talk with the community and, where they can, if there are concerns, to address the concerns of the community and explain about the project.
I support the work that is being done by Minister Corbell in leading this for the government and, indeed, for the very professional work that is being done by the capital metro board, despite the constant fearmongering that the Liberal Party have chosen to attack this project with. We have some very committed, professional, eminent Australians who are advising the government on this project. We are very pleased with the project as it has proceeded to date. I think a lot of the concerns that are being raised are concerns that we have seen when similar projects are delivered in the country. Have a look at what has happened on the Gold Coast: similar controversy and then they could not fit everybody on when those trams started rolling, and we would expect the same to happen here. (Time expired.)
Budget—north Canberra infrastructure
DR BOURKE: My question is to the Treasurer. Can the Treasurer please outline how the 2014-15 budget invests in north Canberra?
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, members!
Mr Hanson interjecting—
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