According to Government documents and answers to questions on notice, the Government plans to roll-out the cameras this financial year. However, there remain questions about their efficacy and the privacy concerns of motorists.

The Government has admitted that changes to legislation will need to be made to facilitate their usage.

The cameras operate by recording the number plates of vehicles as they pass the first point. When the recorded number plate passes the second camera, the computer assesses the time taken to drive between the two points and determines if the car was speeding. All cars, regardless of whether they are speeding or not are recorded at both cameras.

The privacy concerns the Government must address are:

• How, where and for how long will the data of passing vehicles be stored?
• Will the data be able to be used as evidence for unrelated legal matters (e.g. as an alibi)
• Will motorists be able to find out what data the ACT Government holds of their vehicle movements?

“Like all strategies designed to reduce accidents and fatalities, the Government must show evidence to support the cost of introducing the cameras. The Government must also justify the locations for which the Government chooses to install the devices,” said Mr Coe.

In an answer to a question on notice, the Government said they expect between 6 and 12 infringements per day at each location.

“If so few people are expected to be penalised, there are doubts about how effective the devices will be and whether this will be the most effective use of money to make our roads safer.”

The Government should also release the Forward Design Study being undertaken by TAMS.

“Finally, if the devices are installed, the Government should publish the time for which a motorist can travel between the two points without fear of being booked.

“The Government must thoroughly address the concerns outlined above to ensure motorists and taxpayers get the safest roads at the right price and with the privacy of all users in mind,” concluded Mr Coe.

In a conversation on ABC radio with Alex Sloan this morning, the Chief Minister said:

Sloan: Our median house prices only follow Sydney.

Stanhope: Well certainly it’s not about price; it’s about capacity to pay… I’m not denying that there is enormous pressure on affordability here in the ACT, for some people, but for the majority of us there’s not – and let’s not actually distort the facts and claim there is when there isn’t.

“It appears Jon Stanhope and ACT Labor are the only ones that believe housing is affordable in Canberra,” Mr Coe said.

Mr Stanhope’s comments highlight ACT Labor’s shocking lack of understanding which has resulted in first home buyers struggling to buy a home in one of the most unaffordable justifications in the country.

“Jon Stanhope’s belittles low to middle income Canberra families as a minority group within the community; families who are trying to save for their first home, often while paying high rental costs.

“With increased housing costs, low to middle income families saving for a deposit are also forced to pay thousands for stamp duty and potentially thousands more for the change of use tax.

“This is in addition to increased costs to family budgets as a result of price hikes for electricity, water, registration, parking and public transport.

“Jon Stanhope’s comments that price isn’t a factor for Canberrans buying their first home is absurd. This government is tired and has forgotten what is important to Canberrans. Their priorities are not the same as the communities’,” Mr Coe concluded.

Canberra Times, 19 July 2010, Page 2

The ACT Government has wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars on concrete and stainless steel blocks for people to glue posters to. Each block costs either $18,171 or $36,111.

This is yet another example of ACT Labor’s mismanagement of the budget.

The  source of these costings can be found by clicking here.

From Estimates Question E10 – 726:

Total production costs (including moulds and artwork) for 18 concrete silos is $132,480 excluding GST.  The production cost per silo is $7,360 (excluding GST).  The production cost for the one higher quality, stainless steel silo for the City Centre is $25,300 excluding GST.

“To date, the ACT government has been unable to attract any new insurers to Canberra’s third party insurance market and it is the Canberra commuter who suffers as a result,” Mr Coe said.

“The Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope, must do more than just remove the regulatory barrier of a monopoly for compulsory third party insurance and actually work with the industry to find out what obstacles are stopping other providers from entering this market.

“Jon Stanhope and ACT Labor are already slugging Canberra commuters more with high parking costs and registration fees; they need to be actively working with the insurance industry to increase competition within the compulsory third party insurance market.

“Given third party insurance is mandatory for every registered vehicle in the ACT, it is important Canberrans have the freedom of choice.

“I’m concerned excessive red tape is making it difficult for insurers to register as suppliers of the product. Canberra drivers are already paying more than ever to pay back ACT Labor’s deficits. The least Jon Stanhope can do is offer a competitive choice for compulsory third party insurance,” Mr Coe concluded.

On Thursday 8 July, Vicki Dunne MLA and I will host a meeting in Hawker to discuss the Government’s proposed changes to the arrangements at Hawker Shops.

We are very concerned about the lack of consultation and the way in which the Government has handled this issue.

Meeting details:

Date: 8 July 2010
Time: 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Venue: Christ Church, Hawker Place, Hawker

At the meeting, we will hear and note your thoughts about the Government’s proposed changes. We will then send a copy of the meeting notes to the Land Development Agency and Government Members for Ginninderra, Mr Stanhope
and Ms Porter.

We are keen to make sure that users of Hawker Shops get a say on the future of thecentre.

Please contact us on 6205 0101 if you have any questions.

For a family with two parents parking in Woden and Civic and two children going to school and CIT on the bus, there will be a massive increase of almost $650 a year. This comes after last year’s transport hike of $1200. Now, families can pay more than $5,000 a year.

Case study: A Canberra family with a parent driving to work in Woden and one to Civic, and one child getting a bus to school and one getting a bus to CIT:

Assumptions: One child buys Faresaver 10 tickets for 5 days per week, 40 weeks per year; One child buys 4 school term tickets, Parents work 5 days per week for 50 weeks per year

“These increased transport costs will be felt by Canberra families, and this is in addition to rises in the cost of rates, water and electricity,” Mr Coe said.

“If the Government wants to use price levers to try and encourage people to get on public transport, there is nothing strategic about increasing the price of parking at the same time as pushing up the price of bus fares. This is at a time when parking in the city and at town centres is getting harder and the bus network is getting worse.

“ACT Labor continues to tax Canberra families more every year for basics like car registration, parking, buses, electricity and water yet deficits are high and services haven’t improved.

“It is further evidence that under an ACT Labor Government, Canberrans are paying more and getting less,” Mr Coe concluded.

2 July 2010

MR COE (Ginninderra) (1:34am): It is a pleasure to rise in the early hours today to pay tribute to Canberra’s Korean community. The Korean community are a vibrant part of our Canberra multicultural scene, and I very much enjoy attending their events.

I went to an event earlier this year at the Albert Hall and just recently I enjoyed watching a game of soccer with them in the World Cup. Unfortunately, they did not get up in that game and they did not make it beyond the round of 16, but they did extremely well, and I am sure that experience will put the team in good stead for the upcoming tournaments.

Koreans living in Australia are, of course, very proud of their new home, whether it
be permanent or temporary, but they are also very proud of their heritage. They really
are model citizens when it comes to being great members of our multicultural community. Korea is, of course, a very important trading partner for Australia and Korea as a country is, of course, a real beacon for democracy and a real icon since the Korean War. People in South Korea live in a very turbulent area, they do so with great courage and I very much admire their determination for a free and democratic world.

I would like to pay tribute to Keith Lee who is a football ambassador for Capital Football and also for the Korean Youth Football Association. He organised and put on the soccer viewings at the Belconnen Soccer Club to support the Korean community here in Canberra.

Since 2005, a Korean youth team in the under-12 category has visited the Kanga Cup and the team will be visiting again this year for the fourth time; that is the SinGok PS under-12 team. The Korean community will be hosting them, including providing the meals and accommodation, and the Monaro Panthers Football Club will be billeting them.

I wish the team all the best. I look forward to attending more events with the Korean community in the coming years and I very much commend all those involved for the great work they do in our multicultural community.

30 June 2010

I rise tonight to commend former and serving reservists in the Australian forces. I have the utmost respect for the men and women who sacrifice so much in order that we might enjoy the freedoms we have in this country. On Saturday, I had the privilege of laying a wreath on behalf of the opposition at the Reserve Forces Day 2010 62nd anniversary commemorative ceremony at the Australian War Memorial. Unfortunately, the ACT shadow minister
for veterans affairs, Jeremy Hanson CSC, MLA, and the Leader of the Opposition, Zed Seselja MLA, were unable to attend.

At the service we were welcomed by Colonel Joe Johnson, CSC, AAM, RFD, ED (Retired) and heard a message from the Prime Minister read out by Senator Lundy. Senator Gary Humphries was also present. A prayer was read by Pastor Wayne Lyons of the National Servicemen’s Association, and Sergeant Nigel Webster of the 4th/3rd Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment, addressed the service.

Rear Admiral Ken Doolan AO, RAN (Retired), National President of the Returned and Services League Australia, gave the commemorative address. I congratulate him on the work he does and wish him, the National Secretary, Derek Robson AM, and the rest of the national executive well for the upcoming national congress in Dubbo, New South Wales.

I would also like to thank the band of the Royal Military College of Australia, the Australian Rugby Choir, the tri-service flag party and Lance Piper Geoff See from the Australian Federal Police Canberra City Pipes and Drums.

The service was an opportunity to thank, commemorate and celebrate the commitment of so many fine men and women that have served in the reserves. Like previous years, 2010 will see parades taking place at many locations across the country, including in each state and territory capital and many regional centres.

This year it will be just over 60 years since the part-time forces were re-formed after World War II. In those 60 years reservists have been volunteering to serve overseas, from the early United Nations missions in Korea to the current overseas operations.

The Reserve Forces Day Council will give special recognition this year to those members who, when as reservists, volunteered to serve overseas in operations or humanitarian missions and who have been awarded a medal for that service. The stated purpose of the council is:

The objective of the Reserve Forces Day is to raise the profile of the Navy, Army and Air Force Reserve, to recognise former and serving Reservists (including those who served in the Citizen’s Military Forces, and Citizen’s Air Force) and to thank partners and employers for their support.

Reserve Forces Day is celebrated across Australia and is the annual recognition for serving and former members, 1.25M Australians who have served in the nation’s Reserve Forces. These public parades would not be possible without the wonderful support of our sponsors.

I would also like to recognise the many employers that support reservists and their decision to serve our country.

This coming Sunday, the parade in Sydney at the Domain will be reviewed by Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and His Excellency Mr Michael Bryce AM, AE. In particular, I wish any Canberrans travelling up to Sydney to take part in the parade well for their journey. Anyone interested in serving the reserves should call 131901 or visit www.defencejobs.gov.au.

Again, I thank all those Canberrans who have served and continue to serve in the reserves.

29 June 2010

I rise tonight to pay tribute to one of Canberra’s sporting teams—one of Canberra’s sporting teams that do not always get all the recognition they deserve and all the media attention that they deserve but, nonetheless, a fantastic team.

The Canberra Knights play in the Australian Ice Hockey League and do a great job. Ice hockey is a growing sport in the ACT, and indeed across Australia, and one that is very entertaining and exciting to watch and one that I very much enjoyed watching on 5 June when I saw the Knights play the Penrith Bears. It is a sport I am not overly familiar with but one that I hope to become more familiar with as I get to more of the games and get more involved in the ACT ice hockey community.

I would like to pay credit to those involved with the Canberra Knights—the players, the managers and also the sponsors. In particular, of the managers, I would like to commend the general manager, John Raut; the head coach, Dave Rogina; the assistant coach, Matthew Luoma; the manager, Andrew Deans; the photographer, Guido Rozdarz; the media liaison person, Kevin Teo; the sports medicine person, Melissa Rogina; the soft tissue therapist, Danielle Hobbs; and the merchandise person, Judy Deans.

I would like to commend those on the roster for the 2010 season: the forwards, Steven Deans, Garrett Delaquis, Jordan Gavin, Mike Johnston, Matti Luoma, Luke Philps, Stuart Philps, Alain Reisin, Ollie Rozdarz, Sean Scarbrough and Vadim Vrjassov; the defence; Alistair Band, Aaron Clayworth, Chris McPhail, Mark Rummukainen and Peter Taylor; and the goal tenders, Nickolas Eckhardt, Ryan Lowe, Justin Mendham and Stuart Woodall. Also in the squad are Blake Cameron, Daniel Ferrett, Sean McNeil, Bernard MacNamarra, Thomas O’Malley and Eric Bobbyn.

I commend the many Canberra businesses that are getting behind the Canberra Knights this season, in addition to the players and the crowd that go along to each of their home games. The 2010 sponsors are 104.7, Canberra Tourism, ActewAGL, the National Indigenous Times, Capital Signs, Chopperworks, Cinco Electrical Services, Climate Master, Coca-Cola, Diverse Data Communications, Full Boar, House of Cars, IGA, Jax Quickfit Tyres, Kitchen Connection, Lenobel, LJ Hooker, Ocean Fresh Seafoods, Paddywack Promotional Products, Popes Electrical and Data Supplies, Prime Canberra, Risetop, Canberra Indoor Rock Climbing, Southern Cross Health Club, Sport & Recreation ACT, Stuart Philps, Supreme Dry Cleaners, the Canberra Times, Tony Farrugia Bodyworks, Vili’s Pies, VIP, and Win Television.

I commend all those involved in the team and I wish them all the best for their remaining games for the season.

24 June 2010

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I rise this afternoon to pay tribute to the ACT highland dancing championships and competition held in Canberra on 5 June. The championships are widely regarded as one of the major state championships within the Australasian dancing community and it was a pleasure for me to witness them.

The competition attracts dozens of entrants from around Australia; approximately three-quarters of the entrants came from interstate. With so many entrants and their families travelling to Canberra for the event, it really is a great event for tourism in the capital. The funds raised from the event are reinvested into the competition and other events to promote highland dancing in Canberra and Queanbeyan. Fundraising efforts are significant and they have a tough time vying for the sponsorship dollar.

Community groups such as this one are always up against it for money, time and other expenses. I know the ACT government has a number of schemes available in the multicultural, sports and arts areas to give financial assistance to community groups. As I have said in the past about musical theatre, the sheer fact that highland dancing is a traditional and mainstream practice should not preclude it from arts funding. The reach this dancing community has through participants, families, audiences and other outlets makes the highland dancing scheme a very worthwhile applicant. It is a great shame when community groups cannot be supported simply because they cannot be easily categorised by a government agency.

Of course, highland dancing will go on without government assistance. However, I think it is important we do not take the generosity of those involved for granted. The contribution is significant but not endless.

At the championships a few weeks ago, I and Eunice Stewart-Parker, President of the Burns Club, had the pleasure of presenting the trophies and shields to the winners of the different categories. I congratulate all the participants, volunteers, parents, friends and families. I also thank the adjudicators, Margaret McAlpine from Victoria, Maureen Fyffe from New South Wales and Melissa Rankin from Victoria, and the pipers, Rod Parker and Sean Hodgman. Special thanks must go to Linda Millar and her team for the exceptional job they did in putting together the event.

As I mentioned earlier, many of the participants and families travelled great distances to participate, and I am sure they were all very impressed with the professionalism and dedication of the volunteers, as I was.

I would like to congratulate Eunice and her team at the Burns Club for their support of the championships and for their ongoing patronage of an important part of our heritage. I look forward to experiencing more highland dancing at Joy Reiher’s School of Scottish Dancing competition to be held in October.

Finally, I note there is a group of pipers heading across to the Basel Tattoo in Switzerland next month. I hope everyone on the tour has a successful and enjoyable time.