Page 4477 - Week 15 - Thursday, 22 November 1990
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Firstly, there is the question of endangered species in the ACT, and there are a few animal and plant species. It is difficult to gauge from the documents that we have before us what is being done about endangered species and what resources are being put towards their protection.
The ones in which I am particularly interested are the day moth, which, as you know, exists in an area of Belconnen that is being talked about for development, and the legless lizard which I believe is an exceptionally rare species. It is one with which I think Mr Duby might have some sympathy. He might like to let me know what is happening about that, as well.
Another issue that I want to raise is that of the Captains Flat runoff. Mr Speaker, I have raised this with Mr Duby on a number of occasions, both in this Assembly and in correspondence. I have to say that the last item of correspondence that I have from Mr Duby is just unmitigated gobbledegook. I have a letter from him, which I am amazed that he signed, so incompetent is it. It raises further my concerns about runoff from Captains Flat and its effect, not only on our natural environment but also on human health.
It is a fact that the table which Mr Duby has attached to the letter that he sent me bears absolutely no relation to the body of the letter. He has tabulated some of the contaminants in water from Captains Flat, and the tabulation is at complete variance with the body of the letter. So, again, I think there is the risk of a cover-up occurring, and I wish the Minister would take a much closer interest in it.
Another point that I would like to raise in relation to this division is that of the CDF funding for heritage and cultural groups. We heard the Treasurer introduce this morning a Bill to repeal the CDF Act. It is a fact, Mr Speaker, that heritage and cultural groups under this division receive, I think, about half a million dollars in CDF funding. I would like to know how those groups are to compete in future years for funding which is no longer earmarked for them. It is a fact, Mr Speaker, that that half a million dollars has always been spread very thinly amongst those groups. If there is a way in which it can be protected, I would like to hear about it from the Minister. I know that they have always had to compete for those funds in the past, even though the existence of the CDF guaranteed them at least a program that was identified for them.
Another point that is contained in the budget papers, but of which we have heard very little of late, is the question of heritage protection legislation. I know that the Government is running abominably late in the development of its planning legislation package and has now, in effect, abandoned an attempt to bring it all in on time. But I
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