Page 2155 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 6 June 1990
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That is an important factor. It is well serviced by public transport. People know where it is. I do not doubt that many thousands of people, including myself, have done courses and seminars there and a great many more have attended meetings or availed themselves of the services of organisations that are within the Griffin Centre.
So, simply put, everybody in this Assembly says it is a good idea to retain a facility like that. The majority of people, no doubt, would agree. The Alliance Government's proposal is, on the face of it, in line with what everybody would say. Provided that we can have confidence that that will proceed, I am sure all will be fine and Canberrans will have their community facility.
MR CONNOLLY (11.45): Mr Speaker, the Opposition placed this motion on the notice paper some time ago when the community groups that use the Griffin Centre were most concerned about their long-term future. A speaker from the Government side, Mr Duby, has put the proposition that our motion is now outdated and that yesterday's statement has changed the situation. He says that in place of the Griffin Centre a bright, shiny, new, modern, purpose built community centre will be established; and the existing Griffin Centre tenants will continue to occupy the old building until the new centre is opened. The new centre will be opened, tenants will move in, and the old and outdated Griffin Centre will be replaced with a more appropriate use.
Now, if that were the case, the Opposition and the community would all be very happy. It is a very superficially attractive proposition that the Government has put, and if we were satisfied with that proposition we would be congratulating the Government. This is not an opposition that insists on taking a negative point of view. This is an opposition which later this afternoon on some Bills moved by the Attorney-General will be congratulating the Attorney on good legislation. If this were a good decision we would be the first to congratulate the Government, and we would expect those responsible members on the other side to take the same view when we return to government.
Mr Speaker, there is only one thing necessary from the Government to allow us to congratulate it on this decision, one simple statement, and that is a guarantee on the financial arrangements, the basis of tenure and the basis of rent in the new community centre. We would endorse and agree with Mr Duby's comments about the state of the bricks and mortar in the existing Griffin Centre. Sure, it is not a purpose built community centre. Sure, it is old. Sure, there are problems with the facilities. But it is there, it is central and it is cheap, and that is the crucial factor. It is acceptable and cheap. It is like an old VW; it might not get you there very fast but it is reliable and economical and you stick with it because it does the job appropriately. What the Government is proposing in place
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