Page 424 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 21 February 1990
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It leads to wonder where the Government's arts policy is. It may have relevance. Maybe tomorrow we will discuss as a matter of public importance where its arts policy is, because it seems to have overlooked that. It is not surprising, however, that the Government does not have a sports policy, that it is not concerned about sport, because it was during our period of government that we were continually knocked in relation to sporting matters. These people were the greatest lot of knockers I have ever met.
You would remember, would you not, Mr Speaker, that there was an MPI on sport, which was initiated by the other side. It was not in support of sport; it was not to extol the benefits that accrue to the community from sport; but rather it was to knock the initiatives of our Government in sport. This negative attitude is now reflected in the fact that these people cannot come forward with a balanced policy in relation to sport, and it is well-known fact amongst the sporting community that the Kaine Government is so disinterested in sport that after two-and-a-half months it has not bothered to come forward with any sort of a sports policy.
We are proud to compare this lack of activity by the Trevor Kaine Government, the lack of policy, with our comprehensive range of policies and achievements. As a government, we were proud of our association with the sporting community. We were proud of our involvement with the Sport and Recreation Committee chaired by Dr Alan Roberts who is head of the University of Canberra's Centre for Sports Studies, our association with the ACT Academy of Sport chaired by Dr Dick Telford and the sports loans interest subsidy scheme.
MR COLLAERY (Minister for Housing and Community Services) (3.42): I thought, in the best traditions of sport, the last speaker just fell over the line.
Mr Duby: But there's no correct weight.
MR COLLAERY: Indeed, and I am not referring to any evening debates in which the member has referred to conditions that get you across the line - not referring, of course, to anyone in the chamber but himself. Since the member opposite could not restrain his curiosity and deep interest in the Government's sports policy, I am happy to table it. I seek leave to table the Alliance Government's sport policy. If you had rung me last night, Mr Whalan, you could have had it.
MR SPEAKER: As you are a Minister, you do not require leave.
MR COLLAERY: One of the reasons why there was a delay was that we tried to decipher the Labor Government's sports policy, and that took considerable time. A lot of what Mr Whalan said in the first phase of his remarks lacked
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