Page 320 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 31 May 1989
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to which they are greatly committed. I recognise the kind of financial and economic reasons that are being talked about in this expensive stadium. I do ask, deeply, that the concerns of track and field athletics, of international athletics, of an international sport, in this national arena be looked after.
MR DUBY (3.55): I am very pleased that Mr Stefaniak has raised this subject today. The thought of the Canberra Raiders moving from Queanbeyan to the Bruce Stadium has been a matter of concern to me for some time. Of course, I am sure all of us here are aware of the great benefits that the Raiders have given to the Canberra spirit, the spirit of this city. I well remember the build-up to the 1987 rugby league grand final when the whole town was united behind them and there was a feeling of oneness through the community at the time. It was a great feeling and something that I am thrilled we all shared in.
It has been well recognised in the past that through the supporters of the Canberra Raiders a bipartisan approach has been adopted by our local politicians in the Federal sphere. Ros Kelly, as I am sure everyone is aware, is a great supporter of the Raiders; and I believe that Senator Reid is also in that category - she classes herself as a great supporter of the Raiders. I would like to think that that carries over into this house and that we identify the Raiders as being the epitome, the symbol, of the sporting prowess of this city. I would like to think that that bipartisan approach is shared by all. We are all very pleased when the Raiders have success and a bit downcast on the Mondays after a Raiders' loss.
I am unfamiliar with the financial implications of the move of the Raiders to the Bruce Stadium, but the issues that I raised in a question without notice today to the Deputy Chief Minister are the ones that concern me. I feel that the underutilisation of the stadium is apparent to anyone who has lived in the ACT for some time. We all know that it is a magnificent venue and it is simply underutilised. If the redevelopment of the stadium were to lead to a whole number of sporting events being played there, with better utilisation of the stadium, I think that would be a good thing.
As I have said, I am unfamiliar with the financial implications, but our party is concerned with the needs of the local athletics associations. I would like closely to examine the reply that Mr Whalan gave today to the question. If it turns out that the needs of the local athletics groups can be met by the redevelopment of the Bruce Stadium, so be it; it will have our support. If, however, that will not be the case - and I stress that I am not sure of what is contained in the answer that was provided today - it would have only our qualified support on the basis that suitable athletic facilities will have to be provided within the city of Canberra. I think we are all agreed on that in some regard. Whether they have to be
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