News - Government

All candidates for the seat of Fraser and lead Senate candidates for ACT have been offered the opportunity to submit their views for Gungahlin residents via a 500-word article. Following is the unedited statement received from Gary Humphries, Senate Candidate - Liberal Party. The following comments do not necessarily represent the views of the GCC.

During my entire political career, from my time as an MLA to my current role as a Federal Senator, I have always been a strong advocate for Gungahlin, and I have been proud to play a role in its development at a Territory and Federal level.

Developing Community Services
In 1998, as Police Minister, I opened the Gungahlin Joint Emergency Services Centre, an Australian first.  This centre was an Australian first in that it combined a Volunteer Bushfire Brigade, an Emergency Service Depot, a Police Station, Ambulance Station, and an Urban Fire Brigade Station into the one centrally located complex.

In 2001, I had the great privilege of opening the Gungahlin Library, and continuing to foster Gungahlin's development as Chief Minister of the ACT.  As a Federal Senator, securing important grants and funding for services in the area has been an important personal achievement of mine.

For example, over $4.1 million in Commonwealth grants have been provided to schools in the Gungahlin area for a range of programs including:

• Construction at Burgmann School
• The Success for Boys program initiative
• A soft fall play area at Palmerston Primary School
• Computer equipment for Nicholls Primary School
• Shade structures for Ngunnawal Primary School
• Fibre optic cabling at Holy Spirit Primary School in Nicholls

Volunteers Small Equipment Grants of around $19,000 have also been made to a number of local groups.

Fostering Employment  Growth
One of the best ways that the Federal Government can boost the development of Gungahlin is through relocating Commonwealth public sector departments to the Gungahlin regional centre.  Not only will this provide local jobs for Gungahlin residents, there will be positive benefits and growth to businesses and services.  As Senator for the ACT I have put considerable effort into achieving public sector growth in Gungahlin, and if re-elected I will work to achieve this goal.

Funding the Completion of the Gungahlin Drive Extension
I am committed to ensuring that the Gungahlin Drive Extension is completed.  I have been involved in the GDE since the very beginning as a local MLA, and as a Federal Senator I will continue to work for the completion of the GDE.  In 2005 I led Senate opposition to a motion by Bob Brown to hold up the development of the road.

Australia Connected - the Coalition Government's Broadband Plan
Another area that I believe is vital for Gungahlin and the entire nation's future is the delivery of a high quality broadband system.  

The Coalition Government has a plan for broadband for Gungahlin.  All of Gungahlin will be covered by WiMax, a powerful wireless technology.  This is the same technology that Parliament House will be using.  It is estimated that the Government's plan will cost Australian families between $30-60 a month, while Labor's plan will slug families upwards of $100 a month.  

If re-elected at the upcoming Federal election, I will continue to stand up for Gungahlin.

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