2025-04-08
Lines attributable to Shane Rattenbury, Leader of the ACT Greens:
“Canberrans and community volunteers have every right to be deeply frustrated today after Labor and the Liberals teamed up to block the protection of Ainslie Volcanics—a critically endangered grassland in the heart of our city.
“Today’s vote by the major parties reflects a callous disregard for environmental protection, that puts an imperfect planning system before the wants of the community and the needs of our local environment.
“Let’s be clear: based on this vote, Labor and the Liberals are indistinguishable when it comes to environmental protection. Here in Canberra, the Greens will protect and restore the environment, every vote, every time.
“After today, Canberrans are rightly left questioning: What value does Labor’s word truly hold? Just five months ago, they committed to safeguarding this site from development, yet here they are, already breaking that promise.
“What we have seen in this vote is that the major parties are more concerned about ‘the independent planning system’ than getting the right outcome.
“The reason we moved this legislation is because the planning system got it wrong on this one, and as the elected representatives of this community, we need to have the courage to step in on behalf of the community to fix that.
“This Bill provided a practical and transparent solution to a poor outcome.
“Labor might claim to care about protecting this site, but their actions speak louder.
“The spotlight now turns to Optus and Vodafone the tower developers. They still have the chance to do the right thing and to recognise this proposal is incompatible with the environmental protection of the site.
“There are viable alternative sites nearby for this tower, and it is now upon telco giants like Optus and Vodafone to show the courage the Assembly has not been able to muster, and to alter their plans."