Community Alliance Party

ACT ratepayers are paying a fortune for Labor party electioneering such as that released today under the thin guise of a rehashed Canberra Plan, according to the Community Alliance Party Candidate for Ginninderra, Jane Tullis.

"The rehashed Canberra Plan is nothing more than a cheap stunt to try to sell Labor's election promise that it will consult next time, when everyone knows, and experience shows, they won't," Mrs Tullis said.

Today's Canberra Plan media release refers to a Canberra Urban Forum in November 2008 as 'the first large-scale community conversation' according to Mrs Tullis. "A community-wide conversation is a noble promise, but perhaps a few years too late."

"Even the Government media release makes its clear that the government has decided what its vision, priorities and outcomes are for this Plan, as is consistent with recent consultations and the previously stated position of 'consultation starts with a decision'."

"Facing a voter backlash for their repeated mess-ups, lack of consultation and transparency, it is clear that Labor will now use any government publication or vehicle to try to sell their election message," Mrs Tullis said.

In recent weeks and months Labor has blatantly exploited the Budget papers, the ACT Health Ready for the Future document, the Living in Canberra residents guide and ACT Public Schools campaign among others to push Labor election promises and lines, according to Mrs Tullis.

"It is outrageous that ACT rate and taxpayers should pay for the time, effort and money going into election spin-doctoring. The costs for all such messages should be quarantined and paid for by the Labor Party as authorised election advertising, as is required for other parties.

In government, the Community Alliance would work to ensure integrity, transparency, accountability and fair play in election and other government processes, according to Mrs Tullis.

"Rather than making promises to consult widely after the next election, the Alliance is already involving the community in what it does, for example its policy development processes."

"Community participation is a hallmark of the Community Alliance in contrast to the 'tick and flick' style processes of the incumbents' election messages and advertising."

Contact: Jane Tullis