Page 318 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 31 May 1989
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to the reduced grass safety verge. The acceptability of the arena for long-term rugby league and other sports is dependent on the adequate provision of grassed areas around the field.
Although Aussie Rules is not my major sport, I still enjoy watching it, and you could not have cricket and Aussie Rules without that grass verge. Let us face it, those events will attract more people than will athletics.
If any synthetic surface remains in the arena, the venue is going to be altogether too limiting for the multipurpose use of the facility. The areas identified for redevelopment are the minimum works that are required to ensure the successful operation of the stadium and the athletics track. The New South Wales Rugby League, through the Canberra Raiders, is providing $1m to works already identified in the project. I am informed that the Institute of Sport, the ACT Athletics Association and the Canberra Raiders have been extensively consulted during the design phase. They have expressed satisfaction with the design proposals.
Athletics remains a very important activity in this town. Having taken kids to the stadium myself, I recognise how many people are interested in the little athletics. I know, however, as I go out to the track, and as sometimes I cycle past it and stop and watch, the relatively small usage that track gets for most of the time. We have a marvellous resource there at the Bruce Stadium and we must see that it is fully utilised.
DR KINLOCH (3.49): Mr Speaker, I recognise that this is a contentious matter. I thank Bill Stefaniak for raising it as a matter of public importance and I recognise the strong arguments on both sides on this question. You will appreciate the Residents Rally has a strong interest in this. One of our nine candidates in the recent elections - recent, if that is the right word now - was Kelvin Giles, who was a coach of the Raiders. So we have a keen interest in it, especially as Kelvin has the best legs of any member of the Residents Rally.
I am about to commit political harakiri, Mr Speaker, and you will realise the very great difficulty in which I am about to place myself. I think I should perhaps speak in a very soft voice and ask the Assembly gallery to be cleared as I make this declaration.
I recognise before me keen followers of rugby league and I now have to confess I have never in my life seen a live game of rugby league.
Mr Wood: Come with me to the next match.
DR KINLOCH: I point out to Mr Wood, however, that I have seen games of rugby union. I make no comparison. I think whether it is mass or holy communion, both are done in the
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