Page 5064 - Week 17 - Wednesday, 12 December 1990

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .


the event goes smoothly by guaranteeing adequate policing and other logistical requirements. As I say, they are not for people who do not live near it; they are for all the people who live near it and who have to put up with it.

I would like to quote a few things here from a few of the members. On 1 January the Canberra Times stated:

Residents Rally MLA Hector Kinloch said he was appalled by the violence and that the stoning of police could not be tolerated.

Some business went on apparently at the Dickson pool. Visitors caused lots of problems there.

I would also like to quote something by Mr Stefaniak that is very important. This was in the Canberra Times on 2 January:

Mr Stefaniak's solution is to change the law to make the spilling of oil on roads and the performance of burnouts illegal. In other words, to introduce a law to cope with a problem which lasts for less than 48 hours each year. An alternative solution is to accept that such activities are going to take place and set aside some space where hot-headed drivers can shred expensive tyres and let off steam to their hearts' content. It should not be in or near a residential area and it does not have to be Canberra's main drag. All it has to be is a few blocks - perhaps in Mitchell ...

I disagree with that too, Mr Stefaniak. I do not think it should be in any streets in Canberra where people live. I think it is wrong if you are going to allow people to do this sort of thing.

Mr Speaker, we are happy to accept the revenue that this event raises, but the Alliance Government has to take the responsibility for ensuring that it does not become chaotic. We have been waiting for a report from Mr Collaery. Mr Collaery seems to be able to get up on his feet very quickly in this house and damn the Opposition for Bills it is trying to bring into the house; but he cannot even bring down a report, and our leader cannot even get an appointment to see him. This is pathetic, yet he stands there and condemns us on the fact that we are trying to bring into this house Bills that are necessary for this area.

There is a major inflow of people and cars to Canberra during the staging of this event. We do not want to take away this revenue, but these people have to learn to be controlled. People have been camping on the side of the road and in suburban green spaces, and others believe that they have the right to participate in drag racing along suburban roads. This is out, Mr Speaker; this cannot


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .