Page 3117 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 10 September 1991
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I agree with the committee's finding that it is important to provide suitable visitor information commemorating man's first steps on the moon and the involvement of Australia. It was a very large involvement because we got the first voice through here. It is a pity that the Americans were not prepared to do something there. I understand that at the time they did ask the Australian Government whether it would like them to pull it down or do something about it, and it refused. Therefore, I believe that the Commonwealth Government should come to the party in doing something about that.
I am confident that a suitably worded plaque and tourist information will be of historical interest for future visitors, but it is sad that that is all that can remain there. I agree with the Government that there is no future use for the structures in Namadgi National Park. When I was Minister I was approached by many community groups to assist them in their desire to take over these buildings. I am sure that some of my Assembly colleagues have received similar requests.
If there had been any way at all that the buildings could have been given a new lease of life, then developers would have leapt in to use the opportunity. Sadly, that is not the case, and therefore I support the return of the area to its natural bush setting. It is as if the parks had come full circle. They served useful and important roles and are now being returned to their former natural glory. However, it is sad that that piece of history will be completely gone.
I extend my appreciation to all the people who assisted the committee - my fellow Assembly colleagues and committee members, the secretary, Ron Owens, and his assistants, and the departmental officers who provided technical and conservation advice. Many people who came and talked to us about this felt that they could do something with it. When they visited it and saw that an enormous amount of money would be necessary to put any of these buildings to use, they came back very quickly to tell us that it was not possible.
I agree that we could not leave the pieces of wall up. It would look very odd, and I think the installation of suitable plaques is the way to go. It is a pity, because it is a part of our history. When this sort of thing happens in America, of course, people are very quick to make sure that the history is maintained. If the Federal Government is going to pay for half of this and Mrs Kelly unveils a plaque, that does not worry me very much, as long as the taxpayers of this city do not have to pay for something they should not really be responsible for.
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