Page 4935 - Week 16 - Tuesday, 26 November 1991
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that important budget source of funding, the $1m, has thus far been lost. It has been a difficult job to pick up the reins in relation to this matter, but Labor is on track and will be able to deliver an outcome which is favourable to the people of the ACT in due course.
Mrs Nolan raised the issue of the structure of sport and recreation. The first thing that I should say is that one of the great achievements of this young Labor Government was to draw sport and recreation into a single line, and into a single area of administration, in the budget. It took us only a short time to do that, and it was a surprise to me that the former Government was not able to do that. The two areas of sport were brought together. We have developed a permanent organisation for sports; and, of course, we will make permanent appointments once the permanent structure is in place. I think Mrs Nolan would agree that it would be irresponsible for us to make those appointments before we have the structure finalised.
Mr Stefaniak mentioned the Health Promotion Fund shortly after he talked about the budget. What Mr Stefaniak failed to mention was that there was a significant increase in the sports budget - 4.3 per cent - and that the sports budget stood out, amongst other budget areas, for the increases which were achieved under a Labor Government. Whilst he referred to the Health Promotion Fund in the sport and recreation area, I think it might have been dealt with better under the division relating to health.
The Health Promotion Fund, of course, was established under a Labor Government. The level of contribution remains at 3 per cent, and that fund is about the provision of health promotion to the community. It is not about sports promotion. Mr Stefaniak knows that, and so do sport organisations throughout the Territory. We have to ensure that there is no misinterpretation of what the Health Promotion Fund exists for throughout the sports community. It is a Health Promotion Fund; let us not forget that. It is not there to promote sport by itself. Sure, sports can use it as a useful promotion of sport whilst they attend to the needs of the Health Promotion Fund, but we have to remain on course with that.
Mr Stefaniak complained that there were some difficulties with the Health Promotion Fund. I have to say that the advisory committee - and I agree with Mr Stefaniak on this point - does have a tough job ahead of it, because a great number of people compete for the funds allocated from the HPF. It is difficult. The advisory committee, of course, has lost a couple of members along the way, and the process of appointing replacements is under way. Of course, we will continue to try, wherever possible, to keep the advisory committee well resourced to provide properly for health promotion in order that we can develop the health of the community through that fund.
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