Page 102 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 13 December 2016

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Canberra is also a city with hidden poverty. It has the second highest rate of homelessness in the country. Approximately 2,000 people each night do not have a home, and there is an increasing gap between rich and poor. That is why I say that what I stood for was climate change and compassion, and that is why one of the things I want to really focus on in this Assembly is building our city and our environment for people, not for developers.

It means more affordable housing, housing design, better transport and better consultation so that people have a real say. And it means also supporting the proposed ICAC and the donations reforms so that it is clear to everybody that developers do not have undue influence.

Canberra is an amazing city. We are leading the way with greenhouse gas reductions, but there is a lot more to do over the next four years. I am really pleased that we have negotiated the parliamentary agreement with the Labor Party, which I think sets us up for a good four years of progressive government in the ACT. But I think it is really important to continue working with all of the Assembly and the Canberra community as a whole.

Of course, I must say I would not be here without the help of a lot of people. Firstly, of course, the people of Murrumbidgee—I was very fortunate that I got some of their votes; Shane and the great work he did over the past four years; the ACT Greens as a whole and in particular my fellow candidates and all the volunteers; my family and friends, particularly my husband, Guy, and my granddaughter Bella; and the Greens staff, particularly Indra Esguerra.

I look forward to a productive four years for the Assembly and Canberra as a whole.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

The Assembly adjourned at 5.38 pm.


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