Page 1334 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 16 April 1991
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PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE - STANDING COMMITTEE
Report on Stage '88 Fencing
Debate resumed from 7 August 1990, on motion by Mr Jensen:
That the report be noted.
MRS GRASSBY (9.07): Mr Speaker, in resuming debate on this matter, let me say from the start that I find myself in total agreement with the recommendations of the report. I had to fight very hard to get my right to speak on this, but I have won. Let it always be said that I am a winner.
Mr Jensen: You are priceless.
MRS GRASSBY: Of course I am. I have just told you that I am a winner. You cannot put a price on me.
Mr Jensen: No-one would buy you.
MRS GRASSBY: That is right. For the first time, Mr Jensen, you have said the right thing in this house. I am priceless. You cannot buy me; I am priceless.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mrs Grassby and Mr Jensen, please!
MRS GRASSBY: Mr Speaker, for your information, and to refresh the memories of the other members present, the recommendations are as follows: Firstly, that the proposal to construct a fence around Stage '88 not be proceeded with; secondly, that the management of Stage '88 be transferred from the Canberra Theatre Centre to the Department of Urban Services; and, thirdly, that the remaining $177,000 from the initial Commonwealth grant of $1.4m be used by the Department of Urban Services on minor works to reduce the costs of maintaining the facility.
Mr Speaker, in addressing the first recommendation, let me stress my belief that a fence should not be constructed around this public facility. If we remember, Stage '88 was a gift by the Commonwealth to the people of Canberra to celebrate our nation's bicentenary. This naturally occurred back in 1988. It is a gift to the people of Canberra, and I believe that any suggestion to fence that gift off from the public is a very serious thing. It does belong to the people. It was given to the people of Canberra. I am sure the Minister is going to tell us that he is going to put a fence there. He is not going to agree with the report. He is going to put a fence there that can be taken down and put up, taken down and put up, which will end up costing a lot more money.
Mr Humphries: How do you know, Ellnor? You must be a mind-reader.
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