Page 298 - Week 01 - Thursday, 13 February 2020
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
shiftworkers and retirees. There is not one group that this government has not disadvantaged.
I want to repeat the sentiment and commitments expressed by our leader, Alistair Coe, and my colleagues. The importance of reducing cost of living pressures for all Canberrans is at the front of mind for the Canberra Liberals. We want to do this responsibly and with focus on what matters to the Canberra community. It is time to make this the best place to live, work and raise a family.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for Advanced Technology and Space Industries, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (4.49): I do not think the Canberra Liberals are too interested in this discussion. There are two of them in the whole chamber. The very person that moved the MPI left about 20 minutes ago. They have pointed out that there are three members of the Labor team here on the other side to talk about this important discussion.
It is important that we manage the cost of living for Canberrans to provide the best possible living for them in the ACT. That is why we invest so heavily in Canberrans: in public transport; in health and education; and, particularly now, as we look at the cost of recovery from the bushfire across the ACT, in the environment and the best recovery opportunities we can provide for that sector. That is why people love living in Canberra. It is because of the environment. The views of the Brindabellas that I have spoken about before need to be protected into the future, and that will be our task.
Discussion concluded.
Standing orders—suspension
Motion (by Mr Gentleman) agreed to, with the concurrence of an absolute majority:
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Motor Accident Injuries Amendment Bill 2020, being called and debated forthwith.
Motor Accident Injuries Amendment Bill 2020
Debate resumed.
MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (4.51): The opposition will be supporting this bill and we do appreciate the need for its urgency. However, it is a shame that we are in this situation altogether. The bill removes the uncertainty around whether legal professionals can be paid to represent clients under the new CTP scheme. It is extremely troubling that the Assembly must clarify that people are entitled to be paid for their work. You would think that this government, this champion of workers, would at least acknowledge that people who do a fair day’s work deserve a fair day’s pay. And it raises concerns about what other mistakes the government has made within this act that are yet to be found.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video