Page 3485 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 19 September 1990
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
There was an investigation by the Interim Territory Planning Authority and consultation with the National Capital Planning Authority. Members opposite should remember, of course, that this area was previously allocated for diplomatic purposes. I would suggest, Mr Wood, that that was one of the major reasons why it had been sought over a long period of time. I am quite sure that anyone would seek to have access to a piece of land that has clearly been left unused over a period of time. It would be natural. I am sure I would. If I had an appropriate use for a block of land that was next door to my facility, I would seek, if it was suitable, to have access to it if it was at all possible. But, clearly, what happened at the time was that the Federal authorities - the Federal Government responsible then for ACT affairs - decided that it wanted to retain its option to maintain the site for diplomatic purposes.
Mr Wood: Is that the only reason?
MR JENSEN: Well, do you know, Mr Wood? I am just suggesting that that would be the logical reason for it. All those requests for use of that land would have been denied for that very reason - the reason that it was still required. Now there has been a review of this situation. We are very aware that parts of O'Malley, for example, and other parts of Deakin have also been allocated for diplomatic purposes, and clearly the diplomats are moving into a different type of area. We have seen a large diplomatic mission built near Curtin on the other side of the road. We have seen a considerable number of these going in to O'Malley. Clearly that is the sort of facility that they prefer. Unlike the Italian Embassy, they do not necessarily want to have themselves tucked away on Adelaide Avenue.
Some comment was made about Mr Hawke. Mr Hawke's facility near the same area has a large fence around it - a fence that has been there for some considerable time. The Italian Ambassador, in his area, does not have a similar fence. It is a fence that does not, I would suggest, stop any of the problems associated with road noise. So, in relation to this request for a draft variation to policy, which was released publicly - and for people seeking to make comment the closing date was 10 August 1990 - 25 responses were received; 19 in support of this proposal and six raising some questions in opposition. As I understand it, not one of those opposing comments came from members across the chamber. Right? I am not quite sure whether Mr Wood reads his mail, but it was certainly included in his mail.
At this time in the debate on restructuring of the public school system one must ask why Mr Wood has chosen to raise this. One must question once again the motives of the Opposition in seeking to beat this up and set up the divisive debate of public schools versus private schools.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .