Page 3307 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 21 August 2018

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video


and the ACT is already estimated to be $100 million a year. No government in Australia can be serious about tackling the threat of bushfires unless it is prepared to accept that climate change is occurring and take active steps to transition to a low-carbon economy. I am proud to serve in a government that is committed to doing both. It is time that all of us, including those who aspire to govern, did the same.

Trade unions—influence on government

MR PARTON: My question is to the Minister for Housing and Suburban Development. I refer to statements by UnionsACT secretary Alex White in the media on 31 July this year about an almost joint Greens-Liberal proposal about land tax exemptions for landlords who agree to rent their houses through affordable housing providers. Mr White described it as “neoliberalist nonsense” which Labor and the Greens should not act on. Two days later, after Mr White’s comments, the Greens retreated. Minister, does UnionsACT have a right of veto over what policy proposals are put forward or adopted regarding affordable housing?

MS BERRY: No, they do not, but they have as much right as anybody else to make comment through the media.

MR PARTON: Minister, what actions will you take to ensure that all proposals put forward to address housing affordability and homelessness are given a fair hearing?

MS BERRY: I thank Mr Parton for the question. He was at the housing and homelessness summit, and he is aware that there were a number of suggestions and ideas that came forward out of that summit. I will be releasing a strategy later this year. I have already implemented a number of ideas and suggestions that came out of that summit, and I announced one today.

MS LAWDER: Minister, are there any policy issues on which you disagree with UnionsACT?

MS BERRY: I do not even know where to start. I do not think I will answer that.

Ms Le Couteur: A point of order.

MADAM SPEAKER: A point of order.

Ms Le Couteur: I would like to make a personal explanation under rule 46, please.

MADAM SPEAKER: Can we do that at the end of question time? I will give you the call when we finish question time.

Ms Le Couteur: Okay.

Planning—Woden

MR HANSON: My question is to the Minister for Planning and Land Management. Minister, the 2015 Woden master plan required developers to provide a community


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video