Senator Humphries enthusiasm for a well funded National Capital Authority has culminated in an intriguing media release.
Having noticed that some of the Centenary’s motherhood statements bear a passing resemblance to what the NCA might have, Senator Humphries goes on to assert that reduced funding to the NCA compromises the Centenary.
All these goals overlap with the mission of the NCA, but the Gillard Government’s recently announced increased efficiency dividend will see the NCA shed even more funding, despite having already been stripped of nearly half its funding since 2007.
“The more money this government takes from Canberra, the bleaker the celebrations look”, Senator Humphries said today.
“It’s hard to see how greater recognition for Canberra and more impetus for future development of the national capital can be achieved if the federal agency responsible for the ongoing delivery of these things doesn’t have the resources to carry them out.
Assuming the NCA can get the grass mowed and the lake refilled it’s hard, from here, to see how it can make any difference at all from here.
We also note that Senator Humphries has cherry picked three points from the Centenary objectives list, out of six.
In my opinion it appears more likely that Senator Humphries wants a strong and boisterous NCA kicking around the ACT Government he has no faith in his local colleagues gaining a democratic mandate to control.