Page 2164 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 6 June 1990
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concerning the Griffin Centre; applauds the efforts of the Alliance Government in giving 'in principle' approval for the construction of a much-needed community centre adjacent to the current Griffin Centre; acknowledges that existing tenants at the Griffin Centre will be guaranteed security of tenure on no greater financial cost than the present token rent for at least three years; acknowledges the applicability of accepted practice of Government in the provision of low-cost community centres".
Mr Speaker, the motion before us is dated, because the Alliance Government has attended to these concerns comprehensively and has received the endorsement of the Griffin Centre users. What we are really seeing is a party that does not even have the good grace to join with community groups and give merited thanks where they are due. Mr Wood thinks naively that somehow the divisive and scaremongering tactics that have been employed in this have driven us to this outcome. I can assure you, Mr Wood, that the construction of a community centre in Canberra city has long been on my personal agenda.
You well know, Mr Speaker, as do other members here, that the Canberra city centre lacks a community centre. There is a youth centre, there is the Griffin Centre, but those of you in this house who are familiar with community centres, who have been to Belconnen or have been to the Woden Town Centre community centre and other community centres in the ACT, know that the Canberra city area is sadly lacking in a decent sized meeting hall.
In an attempt to alleviate that on a short-term basis, I recently approved the expenditure of $135,000 to refurbish the old dining hall at Havelock House so that by invitation - due to some fire restrictions and problems about residences above the hall - that marvellous Havelock House committee can at least get a good flow through. Community groups can use it to have meetings larger than those that are capable of being held in the ballet room and other rooms in the Griffin Centre. We all know the Griffin Centre, or many of us do, but I doubt from some of the conversations that the Opposition is fully aware of the current structural problems with the Griffin Centre and other matters. It is a great pleasure for me to be part of a government that delivers a community centre in Canberra. I trust it will be built before the next Assembly elections and will be mute evidence that this Government will deliver.
Speaking to my motion, Mr Speaker, you will note that we deplore the failure of the previous Government in the ACT, the Follett-Whalan Government, to take any steps to protect the tenants of the Griffin Centre. Mr Berry very lamely said, "We were not aware of any concerns because they did not have any concerns". Mr Berry knows nothing about community grouping because during the election campaign
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