Giulia Jones calls for ACT Legislative Assembly to strive harder

Outgoing Liberal MLA for Murrumbidgee Giulia Jones has called for ACT Legislative Assembly members to strive harder for the people of Canberra.

Outgoing Murrumbidgee MLA Giulia Jones has used her valedictory speech to the ACT Legislative Assembly to call for her colleagues to “demand more – don’t be comfortable”.

“We are not serving the people of Canberra as well as they could or should be served,” Mrs Jones said.

“Canberra is the national capital, yet the territory lags behind the rest of the country in virtually every independent measure of service provision.

“Whether it’s waiting lists in hospitals, the culture in our health system, education, the availability of rental accommodation, cost of housing or police numbers, we underperform.

“Despite this, I believe that we have all become too comfortable here – I’m sorry, but it is just not good enough.

“We need to be striving harder for the people of Canberra.”

Mrs Jones said she agreed “over time” the ACT government should be free to legislate on the same range of issues as a state, but said she wanted to see the territory to have its own police force.

“Currently the ACT is not able to raise its own police force, and we must rely on a (memorandum of understanding) with the Commonwealth for our community policing, which means we do not control pay, culture or conditions – all of which are lagging,” she said.

Outgoing Liberals MLA Giulia Jones has called on her Assembly colleagues to demand more for Canberrans. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

“If we are serious about territory rights, we should be serious about removing this outdated restriction on our right to ensure our community, here in Canberra, is safe and the police have the resources to respond to and investigate crimes affecting our community.

“The Northern Territory has its own police force.”

The Outgoing MLA also used her final speech to table a draft bill which would “flip the onus of proof “ for ACT frontline workers affected by conditions such as PTSD.

If passed, the law will assume workers in those industries affected by PTSD sustained the trauma because of their job.

Members from both sides of the political divide responded to Mrs Jones’ speech, describing her as a passionate advocate for her community and her side of politics.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr admitted he and the outgoing MLA didn’t agree on much over the last decade but described Mrs Jones as “one of a kind”.

“I would observe you seem happy,” Mr Barr said.

“You've done a lot for your community and your side of politics.

“You've earned the right to leave on your own terms.”