Page 4358 - Week 13 - Thursday, 11 December 2014

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We have made substantial work towards the common ground project, which is now almost complete. We have secured the $85 million in federal funding to clean up our lakes and waterways and we have improved animal welfare in the ACT through the passage of milestone legislation to ban caged hens and sow stalls as well as improving conditions for the sale of domestic animals. I am quite proud that this Labor-Greens government does lead the nation on flagship policy areas and that we have a shared vision of a compassionate and fair community underpinned by environmental sustainability.

Light rail is, of course, an important plank in the parliamentary agreement and I am pleased that, against the backdrop of federal job losses, this government will commence this visionary infrastructure project that actually brings new employment and economic opportunities for Canberra.

Whilst we have made substantial progress on the parliamentary agreement there are still important items to be delivered, such as issues of public transport and active travel, incentivising small-scale solar, strengthening our freedom of information legislation and a coordinated approach to reducing waste to landfill. I look forward to working with the new Chief Minister to advance these outcomes and appreciate his joint commitment to delivering them. I also look forward to my continued work with my ministerial colleagues over the next two years.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my thanks to outgoing Chief Minister Katy Gallagher for her service to the people of Canberra over the past 13 years and, more specifically, for her time as Chief Minister for the last 3½ years. Since the 2012 election I have had the opportunity to work closely with her through my ministerial roles and our shared commitment to delivering the best possible government for our city.

I hold Katy in high regard for her collaborative style, her clarity of decision making, her focus on getting the best outcomes and her personal integrity. She is hardworking and professional and she demonstrates a commitment to the people of this territory every single day. Katy, I hope you thoroughly enjoy your well-earned break over the coming months and I wish you all the best for your new journey in the federal political arena.

Leave of absence

Motion (by Mr Corbell) agreed to:

That leave of absence be granted to all Members for the period 12 December 2014 to 9 February 2015.

Adjournment

Motion (by Mr Corbell) agreed to:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Assembly adjourned at 11.47 am until Tuesday, 10 February 2015, at 10 am.


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