Series 02: Alan Gibson Stewart papers, 1987-1989 - Page 361
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Tom and I made our maiden speeches in February, on the day the parliament resumed for the new year. We had both asked to speak on the Coastal Protection Bill, which seemed like a good vehicle to use for talking about our beach-side electorates.
The bill had been "lying on the table" since December. During this period copies of it had been available for public perusal in the form in which it would be debated in the House. I had sent copies to Manly and Warringah Councils and to the surf clubs in the electorate. I invited comment from all of them, but none was forthcoming.
The aim of the bill was to set up a Coastal Council to control use of the State's coast and to promote its restoration where damage from erosion had occurred. Two ministers were involved. Paul Landa was responsible for the planning aspects, and Jack Ferguson for the engineering work. Both ministers had arranged for their staff to brief us and answer questions, but we were left to write our own speeches.
Ferguson was the minister in charge of the bill in the lower house. He would speak first and last, and sit in the chamber through the intervening debate. He started by declaring:
"Experience has shown conclusively that our beaches and coastline cannot be taken for granted, and that careless development and misuse can endanger a fragile, natural system."