Page 2768 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 12 August 2015
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By the end of last year the project had been put off indefinitely. The minister cannot give any indication when the money will be available and when the work will be done. This was supposed to be the first upgrade but the government cannot say when it will happen. It is unacceptable that the residents of Evatt are still waiting for an upgrade for their shops and the government promised that it would be upgraded in 2013.
The Gwydir Square shops were also on the list of shops being promised an upgrade. The Gwydir Square shops are very busy and popular with local residents. However they do need an upgrade. The paths need to be upgraded. There is no public toilet; there is not enough parking for customers and staff. The businesses at Gwydir Square have been waiting for the government to start the upgrade process by consulting them about what improvements are required. They have not heard anything.
I have contacted the government several times about this. The minister told me in early 2014 that funding would be considered for last year’s budget. However there was no money in that budget and there is no money in this year’s budget. The minister refused to say when the design for the upgrade will be prepared or when the work will begin. It is unacceptable.
Canberrans pay high rates and other taxes. They can expect that they will receive something in return. However the government continue to neglect local shops. Not only do they neglect local communities and local business people but they actually mislead them. That is exactly what this promise is and what this story is: it is a mislead. It is the government misleading.
Dr Bourke: On a point of order, Mr Coe has been saying that the government is misleading, and that is unparliamentary.
Mrs Dunne: On the point of order, Madam Assistant Speaker, I have been listening very carefully to Mr Coe. Mr Coe was talking about a story in the Canberra Chronicle and he did not say that anyone had misled this Assembly. It was not out of order.
Mr Rattenbury interjecting—
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ms Lawder): Mr Rattenbury, do you have a point of order?
Mr Rattenbury: No.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Maybe you could keep the comments to yourself.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: You too, Mr Hanson. Mr Coe, would you clarify for me: were you talking about this article in the Chronicle?
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