Page 933 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 26 July 1989
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
answer, a report we could not fully assess. Also, there were at least two proposals which, because of their sketch plan nature, were not subject to the same assessment process.
Once again my thoughts turn to the bribery analogy. Why were the only suggestions for funds to provide our replacement facilities related to a casino? Where were other options that could have been used to help fund the development by sale of land? Remember, we own the leasehold rights to the majority of the land in the ACT. If we want to construct a community facility on the dearest block of land which we own, we can do so; that is our decision.
Why must all the proposals consider the need to redevelop the North and South Buildings by knocking them off? The committee saw no real figures on this option. Certainly, it is one alternative proposal which needs more work and should be submitted to the same assessment process as those that were included in the Jebb report before it was discussed and before it was discarded out of hand.
Why have we not gone out into the marketplace to seek further options by looking to the next boom industry, an industry that it may be possible to bring to Canberra? The time for following is over and we as a community must ensure that we are not hoodwinked by proposals that really only examine one side of the equation. During my time in the military, when preparing our technical plans we were required to do an appreciation of the various courses open to us and to the enemy as well before we prepared our plan on how to help the commander achieve his mission. One of the key things our instructors used to tell us was, "Never situate the appreciation" - I am sure Mr Kaine will know what I mean when I am talking about that.
Mr Kaine: I do, yes.
MR JENSEN: "...or decide what course you are going to take and then write your appreciation to fit the solution". That is one of the cardinal sins of any tactical appreciation. To do so would often result in some important factor being left out.
A member: Never take on a battle you are going to lose, either.
Mr Whalan: And you never do unless you do situate the appreciation.
MR JENSEN: Let me repeat that for the Deputy Chief Minister's benefit: It would result in some important factor being left out and our plan being made vulnerable. Mr Speaker, I would suggest that this is exactly what is happening here. During the hearings, supporters of the project were keen to tell us how important this project was to our economy, the labour market and the tourist industry,
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .