Page 2251 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 15 September 1992
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Bruce Stadium - Lease by Canberra Raiders
MR LAMONT: Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Deputy Chief Minister in his capacity as the Minister for Sport. I refer to a number of comments that have been made in the last 24 hours in relation to the signing of a long-term hiring agreement for Bruce Stadium. What delayed the signing of that long-term agreement and what does that agreement entail?
MR BERRY: Thank you for the question. I was very disturbed, I have to say, to hear on ABC radio this morning Mr De Domenico's words in relation to the arrangements that were negotiated between the Government and the Raiders.
Mr De Domenico: I said that we did not know what the arrangements were. Perhaps you will tell us that.
MR BERRY: The language that Mr De Domenico used suggested that there was something wrong with the way that the negotiations were conducted. He was trying to create the impression that there was some deal going on that was not in the interests of either the Raiders or the ACT people. Mr De Domenico, of course, has slighted the Raiders. There is no doubt about that.
Mr De Domenico: I take a point of order, Madam Speaker. Can the Minister tell me what he means by the word "slighted"?
MADAM SPEAKER: I do not think the standing orders allow you to ask that sort of a question right now, Mr De Domenico. We may follow it up later.
MR BERRY: The Raiders have always pushed a hard deal in their negotiations with the Government, and that is fair enough. The Government, on the other hand, of course, takes a firm line in relation to its negotiations about the use of facilities which are owned or leased for the people of the ACT. But I will not sit by, Madam Speaker, and have legitimate, commercial-in-confidence negotiations treated in the way that Mr De Domenico treated them this morning. He tried to create the impression that something was wrong with those negotiations.
Mr De Domenico: Are you going to give us the details of those negotiations?
MR BERRY: If you want details of the agreement, I would be happy to provide you with a briefing - there is no question about it; all you have to do is ask - just as I provided Mrs Carnell with one. Just ring the office. Strategic comments aimed at milking every political drop out of everything that happens in this town do not do you or the Liberal Party any good. The Raiders agreement was reached in a set of commercial-in-confidence negotiations. It was properly negotiated.
Mr De Domenico: Are you going to provide us with details of it? The people of the ACT, not just me.
MR BERRY: Are you deaf or something?
MADAM SPEAKER: Order!
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