Page 202 - Week 01 - Thursday, 18 February 1993
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In the Government's tabled response she is even more definite about this. It states:
The extent to which such varied functions can be incorporated within the centre will depend on the detailed work yet to be done, particularly the costings. The centre would serve primarily -
primarily, I emphasise -
as a regional art gallery and heritage centre, and other functions will be accommodated to the extent possible within the total dollar allocation.
Madam Speaker, I submit that that is not the intention of the committee's response and recommendations. I am aware that Senator Bob McMullan wanted a regional art gallery. I am also aware that it is part of the Labor Party's policy for the arts. But that is not the recommendation of this bipartisan committee and I would therefore like some sort of explanation from Mr Lamont as to just what is intended.
Mr Wood: He will give you one. I will give you one too.
MR CORNWELL: Thank you. I would welcome a comment on that because it is not up to this Government to distort the recommendations of this committee in relation to this funding.
Apart from this distortion and my concerns about the recurrent costs, I also support the reservations expressed by my colleague and leader, Mr Kaine, about Natex. At the very best, this $1.5m essential maintenance and refurbishment program should have been funded by Public Works or, alternatively, from a commercial loan raised in what I have always understood Natex to be, a commercial operation. One wonders what the position of Natex would have been without this windfall casino premium. Would the Government have abandoned Natex? If it would not, then the Government has got away with a lucky $1.5m budget saving. I notice that the Chief Minister is nodding her head there.
Ms Follett: Not at you.
MR CORNWELL: I would suggest that you should be very careful when you do nod your head - or shake it, for that matter.
However, it is about the $2.75m trust that I have the greatest reservations, and again, Mr Lamont, you may wish to comment. It is not clear to me whether it is only the interest on this $2.75m that will be paid out for regional facilities, and who will decide where the money will go, either as interest or as the principal. It is rather interesting that the Government's own response supports my concern, because the Chief Minister stated in her response only that "the Government accepts this recommendation in principle". Perhaps Mr Lamont could enlighten me when he does respond, because I certainly do not fancy another community development fund being established. Those of us in this chamber who remember that no doubt would have some reservations themselves. At the same time, I do not accept that the disbursement of this trust should necessarily be undertaken by the ACT Cultural Council because I do not see that that is necessarily the council's role.
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