Page 702 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 5 July 1989
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However, I did have extended conversations with Ivor Vivien, a former member of the House of Assembly who was also supporting that fundraising function, and Mr Chris Elworthy from the No Self Government Party who was a candidate in the Legislative Assembly elections on behalf of that particular party. After leaving the function I completed the evening in the company of Mr David Ritchie and Mr Graham Wright, who are colleagues of mine within the Australian Labor Party.
Although I have spoken to a large number of ACT investors and potential developers about the Civic Square redevelopment on section 19, and will continue to do so in order to stimulate interest, I cannot recall ever discussing this project with Mr Da Deppo. Mr Da Deppo, of course, is already making a heavy investment in his current project. However, if the opportunity were to arise I would seek to encourage his interest in section 19, as I have with all other potential investors. I should conclude, however, by stressing that any decisions on the development of section 19 will not be made by any individual Minister acting alone. The Government's approach to the development conditions and the process of sale of the site will be made on the basis of open decisions, openly arrived at.
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Bruce Stadium
MR STEFANIAK: My question is to the Minister responsible for sport, Mr Whalan. Given his Government's claim to be an open, accessible Government that believes in consultation, can the Minister explain why he has failed to consult the ACT Veteran Athletics Club over plans to downgrade certain athletic facilities at the Bruce Stadium - in other words, going from two tracks to one? Does the Minister refuse to acknowledge that this important sporting organisation is a regular user of the Bruce warm-up track for weekly track and field competition from October to March each year? Does the Minister's failure to consult this group not make a complete mockery of his claim to have had full consultation with athletic groups?
MR WHALAN: I find the question rather curious because Mr Stefaniak has been well aware of the very extensive consultation process that took place, and indeed he himself has been part of that consultation process. I am very grateful for the opportunity to consult him on the issue. I was also very curious about the letter which was in yesterday's Canberra Times which related to this particular issue. That letter demonstrated a perceived lack of consultation between the department and the athletics community of the ACT.
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