Page 5063 - Week 17 - Wednesday, 12 December 1990
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community policing that has been spoken about is certainly the answer to the problems that the police have in Canberra. In this case they have been given support by the Assembly with the move-on powers. I can well understand that they would be something that would be an effective deterrent to potential problems at the Summernats this year.
I think it would be beyond reason to consider that there will be absolutely no problems at the Summernats. When people drink alcohol, when some people get together without perhaps the respect for the law that they should have, there are bound to be some problems. But I believe that, by working together with the police, with the members of this Assembly and with the members of the public who quite rightly bring their concerns along to us, we can make this Summernats perhaps the best that there has ever been. What is the Summernats but a place where people can go to enjoy the activities, and that is what it should be. I would see this as perhaps being the best that there has been, and, if further problems arise, we can ensure that they do not happen for the following year as well.
MRS GRASSBY (11.40): Mr Speaker, without a doubt the residents of Canberra wish to see the organisation surrounding the Summernats improved. I support those people. The fact is that Mr Stefaniak does not live right near where it all happens; therefore it does not affect him. But if you live in that area it does. I have here a file full of letters from people who wrote to me complaining. Some of the things were noise harassment, driving in a manner dangerous to the public, continuously breaking the law, the filthy state of the roadside in the vicinity of the Summernats, excessive drinking, camping on public property, damage to private property and traffic hazards. I can go on for page after page with what they had to say. I cannot tell you really how many letters there are here, but I understand that there are even more in other peoples' files. Other members of the Assembly and I have also received telephone complaints on those matters. It is clear that the Summernats is an important issue to the Canberra community, especially for those living near the National Exhibition Centre.
As I said, if you are living near there or the northern end of Northbourne Avenue you are the ones that have to suffer. While some would like to see the event stopped completely, I believe that to be an unrealistic position. The event is economically good for Canberra and it provides a focus to those many car enthusiasts in the community. And I must say, Mr Speaker, that most who participate in the event are responsible people. Many involved in car clubs in the Canberra region are family types who enjoy motoring rather than speed and alcohol. I speak for those sorts of people who do. They are not all what we are discussing here. What is needed is for the current Government to ensure that
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