Page 833 - Week 03 - Thursday, 25 March 1993
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people outside the ACT is the one that was reflected by Mr Carleton. It is up to us as a sovereign government to do something about that, because ultimately it will be the perceptions of Canberra in the year 2001 that will determine our destiny. So, to a certain extent I agree with what Mr Lamont has said.
Madam Speaker, perversely, there seems to be a tragically limited understanding or sympathy from ordinary Australians for this city which houses so many of our national possessions, functions and treasures and so much of our natural intellect. The national reportage of local government is arguably not helping the already indelibly unfortunate national image of Canberra. I have said before, and I will say it again: No wonder that happens, given the things that happen on the floor of this house. It is up to us to try to fix that.
Let us look at the perception of Canberra in the year 2001 - and what Mr Lamont did not say. From time to time people on this side of the house are accused of being negative and unresponsive and all sorts of things. But why did Mr Lamont not mention Canberra in 2001 having the light rail system that has been talked about? Canberra might improve its image by being very forceful and convincing the Federal government, be it Labor or Liberal, that we should have a very fast train rolling through this Territory. Mr Lamont could have talked about whether the Chief Minister has written to Senator McMullan, the Minister, making sure that we get a national museum here in the ACT. As we know, it has been promised since 1988, and we still do not have it. If Mr Lamont put pressure on the Federal Labor Government to adhere to promises, then perhaps we would have the credibility that we lack now.
This afternoon the Chief Minister said that events are a major factor for the ACT. She specifically mentioned tourism and sport. Mr Lamont could have talked about whether he will put pressure on his Government and on the Federal Government to accept a bid for Canberra to host the 2002 Commonwealth Games, notwithstanding what Mrs Kelly's views might be from time to time. We are not being as entrepreneurial as we ought to be, as Mr Westende mentioned yesterday. We on this side cannot be accused by people on the other side of not being positive in coming up with ideas.
If sport is so important, Mr Lamont should have talked about what pressure he has put on Mr Berry to make sure that Canberra attracts an AFL team. We can see what happens to Canberra when we have the Canberra Cannons and the Canberra Raiders. Perhaps we ought to be talking about also being able to boast an AFL team by the year 2001. Mr Lamont might also want to put pressure on Mr Berry for Canberra to have a national baseball team. Mr Lamont, they are the sorts of things - - -
Mr Berry: How much is it going to cost?
MR DE DOMENICO: I am glad that Mr Berry interjects and asks how much it is going to cost. It is going to cost about $750,000, Mr Berry, and you know as well as I do that that money is already available. People have spoken to you. After months and months of you fobbing them off and after I asked you a question two weeks ago you finally agreed to talk to them last week. That is how much it is going to cost initially.
Mr Berry: No, it is not. How much is a facility going to cost? Over a million dollars.
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