[Greens-Media] Canberra values

[Manderson, Roland]

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ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey MEDIA RELEASE
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Mon 15 May 06


Canberra values

ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey argues that what happens with the Narrabundah Long Stay Caravan Park will say a lot about the values of the wider Canberra community.

 "If Canberra people allow Consolidated Building Ltd to shut down the long stay caravan park, a community of people will be destroyed" Dr Foskey said today. 

 "People should remember that Consolidated Building Ltd was not compelled by anyone to put an offer in to buy the park and to evict all the residents. It was a choice made in its own interest."

 "Mr Zivko, its Managing Director, is a member of the Property Council, MBA and HIA. He is the chair of the MBA's Residential Council and, according to the ACT Government website, is on its Residential Advisory Group.  He must be acutely aware, as all his business colleagues are, of the critical shortage of affordable housing in the ACT."

 "Canberra is an affluent town. While the ACT Government is reputed to be in difficulty, our economy is booming and property development is doing particularly well."
 
"The kind of society we hope to build in Canberra expects even business people to accept their moral responsibility. Consolidated Building has not shown it is prepared to do that."

"Nor has Koomarri. As a charity reputedly created to look after people who cannot enjoy a full life without support, we would expect it to consider the social impact of its action." 

"Whatever the reason Koomarri chose to sell the Caravan Park that it was given for nothing, it has undoubtedly failed in its moral responsibility to the residents of this village."

"Ted Quinlan, when he was the ACT Treasurer, asked the Assembly for guidance in putting in place triple bottom line accounting. A social impact analysis of Koomarri's actions and Consolidated Building's proposal would be a good place to start" Dr Foskey said.

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Roland Manderson   Media Advisor
ACT   Greens    MLA  Deb  Foskey  
Legislative Assembly for the ACT 
ph(02)62050551      m 0412241379
==== www.act.greens.org.au ===== 
  
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