25 November 2010 in Mayo News, Media
Media Release - First Labor gags debate, now they block the vote - Thursday 25 November 2010
The Gillard Labor Government has again shown contempt for the residents of the Adelaide hills who hold legitimate concerns about the Inverbrackie detention centre.
This time the government has refused to allow the Parliament to vote on my Notice of Motion which simply asks for the community to be consulted before any further action is taken.
Four weeks ago they gagged debate on the motion, now they refuse to even vote on it.
The Gillard Labor Government has to explain to the communities in the Adelaide hills why they don’t want to vote on this motion today.
This is an important motion that gives residents an opportunity to have their say on the future of their community.
Adelaide hills residents deserve to feel let down by the Gillard Labor Government.
This decision today is just another example of the Gillard Labor Government treating residents in the Adelaide hills with contempt.
They have handled this issue appallingly from the beginning. They made the decision without consulting the community first. They didn’t even give the local government or the state government an opportunity to have their say.
They refused to meet residents or visit the area for two weeks after the ambush announcement while senior Ministers labelled legitimate community concerns such as bushfire risks and the affects on health and education services as “hysterical.”
They have not been able to provide answers to legitimate questions which is proof that this decision was made hastily.
It is another example of a government that bungles everything it touches.
For those who disagree with my motion, they should explain to the residents in the area why they oppose community consultation on this issue.
For those who don’t even want to vote on it, I ask, what happened to letting the sunshine in!