Page 467 - Week 02 - Thursday, 14 May 1992
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.able to test individuals for the use of banned substances and maintain a register of defaulters. Within strict privacy guidelines, the register of defaulters would be available to the relevant government agency and/or Minister. A check could then be made to ensure that the proper suspensions from sport or other sanctions had been imposed by the relevant sporting organisation. All ACT Government assistance to sporting organisations and individuals would be subject to their agreement to this proposal, in conjunction with the Commonwealth and the States.
The ACT Office of Sport and Recreation will be initiating a concerted education program on this subject in schools and colleges, as well as amongst sporting organisations. A drugs education and awareness program for the junior sporting community, jointly organised by the Australian Sports Drug Agency and the office, was commenced this year. These education programs will address the good sportsmanship and cheating issues, as well as identifying and emphasising the downside of the physiological effects that the use of most banned substances, particularly the steroid group, has.
Madam Speaker, that is a sign of some positive moves in that direction. But, can I say to the Liberal Party: It appears to me that their performance-enhancing drug has run out and they probably need another dose because it is the end of the week and they are starting to look a bit flat.
South African Liberation Centre Building
MR DE DOMENICO: My question without notice, which is to the Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning, Mr Wood, relates to the eyesore that is otherwise known as the South African Liberation Centre or the Pan African Congress building near the official South African Embassy. Given the Government's constant boasting about its relationship with the Trades and Labour Council, will the Minister now ask his trade union colleagues to remove this eyesore as a gesture of encouragement in the important political, social and cultural changes that are currently occurring daily in South Africa?
Mr Lamont: Put it on the heritage list, too.
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, I think Mr Moore's interjection is perhaps quite valid.
Mr Moore: No, it was Mr Lamont's interjection.
MR WOOD: I have to get the voices behind me right. That building has served a very useful purpose and, in its part in a worldwide movement, has been significant in changing attitudes in South Africa. Mind you, I do not think those on the other side of this Assembly would always have conceded that point. But the fact is that the existence of buildings like that and the groups who used them, along with a whole host of other measures, was very effective in changing policies in South Africa, and I applaud what is happening there. There is still a long way to go; moves are under way, but I cannot speculate about whether new constitutions will come into place. Those groups may believe that that building still has, or may well have, a role in the future. While they think so, that building can stay.
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