Page 1672 - Week 08 - Thursday, 28 September 1989
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builders and associated unions who maintain a consistent, ongoing program of building works in the ACT, but the people of the ACT are entitled to ask why this should happen at the expense of our children's education and our run-down health service.
These matters, particularly in relation to the capital works program, were noted by the planning committee's assessment of the capital works. We heard here yesterday, I believe, the Chief Minister say that no substantive recommendations or changes came out of that particular report. Mr Speaker, I dispute that, as does the Rally, and I am sure my colleague Mr Kaine does. There were proposals for amendments and recommendations to make some changes in that particular area.
One was a suggestion that the Government reconsider its proposal to commence operations in the building of the Theodore Primary School this particular year. We in the valley all remember that the Calwell High School remained unused for a period of 12 months because of problems associated with the number of people being available to go into that particular school. For 12 months very important assets were allowed to be idle.
Let us hope, Mr Speaker, that this does not happen in this particular case. I am sure the Deputy Chief Minister, who holds the education portfolio, will ensure that that does not happen again. Once again, I urge the Chief Minister to reconsider that particular matter. The costs associated with that program could possibly go some of the way to providing some of the immediate recurrent expenditure programs associated with the education system in the ACT.
Another thing, Mr Speaker, is that we do not have a full run-down on the costs to the ACT taxpayers associated with the Civic Square project. This is a major development, yet the people of this Territory are not being informed of all the processes and costs involved. In fact, Mr Speaker, I seem to recall that when the advertisement for the Civic Square project came out there was a particular provision in the advertisement that said, "If you put in a tender, my friend, you have to keep it under wraps. If you miss out, tough; no-one else can have a look at it. You cannot provide information on what you are proposing to do at all". It becomes the property of the Government and is never to be released again, Mr Speaker.
It is an incredible arrangement. One has to wonder why the Government is prepared to put this in that sort of tender document. One always has to wonder, I would suggest, when people are asked not to release information on such matters, what the Government has to hide.
I notice in the budget papers that the relocation of office workers from the North and South buildings will cost in the region of $10m. Let me repeat that, Mr Speaker. The cost of relocation of office workers alone from the North and
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