Archive for June, 2008

Media release: 29 June 2008: Save our Green Spaces say Democrats – Legislative Assembly must clean up its ACT

30/06/2008


Darren Churchill – ACT Democrats

Save our Green Spaces say Democrats – Legislative Assembly must clean up its ACT

The Stanhope government is neglecting community sporting facilities says ACT Democrats President, Darren Churchill.

“The poor and deteriorating condition of sports grounds across the ACT is painfully obvious to users of these public spaces.” said Mr Churchill. “The Government waves away such concerns as simply a result of drought. Yet they are not doing nearly enough to manage these grounds in the best way possible.”

“Parents with families involved in junior sport will know – and many parents also play recreational sport themselves in – Canberra fields are now verging on dangerous. The Government must allocate more resources to field maintenance. Priorities include filling in holes, seasonal restoration of bare areas of dirt, and fixing of faulty sprinkler heads and water pipes.”

Mr Churchill inspected local playing fields and spoke with some locals over the weekend.

“The situation in Kaleen and Giralang is appalling. But other parts of Belconnen and Gungahlin are no better.” declared Mr Churchill. “People have told me of sporting fixtures being moved to the grounds of private schools. If the private schools can maintain their fields, why can’t the government maintain community fields?

“Rangers need to patrol more frequently in order to alert us to damage to grounds caused by vehicles, litter, and vandalism of sports pavilions. The community is also at risk of falling prey to discarded and dangerous objects such as sharps and broken glass.”

“Community owned facilities must be maintained at quality levels, regardless of the sporting level of the hirer. But they have been let go and now some serious restoration work is needed. Surely greywater and captured runoff could be used for watering and some basic maintenance undertaken?” queried Mr Churchill

“These problems go beyond designated sports fields. Public open space and green corridors are also crucial to our lifestyle and the vitality of our city. It is distressing to see open space and parkland – including those with children’s playgrounds – succumbing to litter, broken glass and weed growth. And it’s so unnecessary” stated Mr Churchill

“Many such areas are an eyesore where they adjoin cycle paths and walkways. Much open public space is no longer ‘green’ – not only because of drought but because such areas no longer provide a clean and safe environment for walking in and around our suburbs.”

It is time for the Government and the Assembly to clean up its act – clean up the ACT!” Mr Churchill emphatically concluded.

Darren Churchill
ACT Democrats President
darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au
Tel: 0412 196 473

Posted in Environment | Leave a Comment »

Media Release: 11 June 2008: ACT Democrats Repeat Call for Power Station Review

12/06/2008

ACT DEMOCRATS 11 June 2008

ACT Democrats Repeat Call for Power Station Review

The ACT Democrats have again called for a review of the proposed gas-fired power station planned for Tuggeranong.

“With questions over whether or not the Chief Minister’s Department was involved in selecting the site and suggestions the Budget Estimates Committee had been misled over the involvement, it’s time to get to the bottom of the matter”, said ACT Democrats President, Darren Churchill. “The whole project should be put on hold while an inquiry is conducted, alongside an Environmental Impact Assessment and a review of the Territory’s energy supply options.”

ABC news reported today that two officials of the Chief Minister’s Department had misled an ACT Government Estimates Committee over the involvement of the Department in selecting the site for the proposed power station.

“It is inappropriate to proceed with the development before clearing up the questions over the processes involved in selecting the site” Mr Churchill said. “Only an inquiry will determine whether the decision was made in an appropriate manner.”

“I’d still like to see a proper Environmental Impact Assessment and a review of our energy needs as well. We need to question the suitability of proposed sites, alternatives and whether the ACT’s energy needs are best met by the proposed power station or if there might be a way of including green energy alternatives.”

“The ACT Democrats would like to see a long-term view taken on energy. We’d like to see greater use of energy alternatives such as photovoltaic cells and more attention given to environmental concerns including greenhouse targets. With such questions hanging over the accountability of the decision making processes, it’s time to re-examine the whole proposal” Mr Churchill concluded.

Darren Churchill
ACT Democrats President
darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au
Tel: 0412 196 473

Posted in Energy | Leave a Comment »

Media Release: 07 June 2008: ACT Democrats Question Crimestoppers Website

08/06/2008

ACT DEMOCRATS

Media Release: 07 June 2008

ACT Democrats Question Crimestoppers Website

ACT Democrats President, Darren Churchill has described the new Crimestoppers website as “an outrageous violation of privacy!”

ABC News reported today about a new Crimestoppers website which displays pictures of suspected criminals and people who may have witnessed a crime. The website has been attacked by Civil Liberties Australia.

“The Civil Liberties people are right to raise concerns about the Crimestoppers website. The website denies the presumption of innocence to people accused of a crime and consequently denies them the right to a fair trial. It also places potential witnesses at risk by publicising their identity.” Mr Churchill said.

“People suspected of a crime have a right to a fair trial and the due processes of law. This is a whole new dimension to trial by media – it’s trial by Internet!”

“Being caught on CCTV may be fairly damning evidence. But surely the due process of the law still has to be followed.”

“When people witness a crime or think they may have witnessed a crime, they usually respond confidentially to a police appeal for information and may wish their identity to be kept secret as much as possible.”

“I would like to know how police aim to protect witnesses from attack when they have had their faces plastered all over a public website?” inquired Mr Churchill

“Surely, police resources need to targeted at the areas that the community has identified as a priority. I’d like to see such things as more police on the beat, better resourcing of Neighbourhood Watch schemes, and a more open, safer and well lit urban environment to help reduce crime.” Mr Churchill said.

“The ACT Democrats have long advocated public education about safety, greater co-operation and consultation between the police and the community, and improvements to police response times.” continued Mr Churchill.

“I’m not sure how violating privacy by an individual having their face plastered all over a Crimestoppers website helps public safety.” Mr Churchill concluded.

Darren Churchill
ACT Democrats President
darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au
Tel: 0412 196 473

Posted in Justice | Leave a Comment »