Page 1901 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 16 June 1993
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entire thoroughfare, if you like, across the city, with the exception of the London Circuit footpaths. Even that, I understand, would be drawn into question by Mr Humphries's proposal, and even in that area there could be a prohibition on the use of skateboards, bicycles and the like. So it is a larger question than specifically for the city. What we have been able to do in Belconnen is to provide for a skating rink with a range of different activities on it.
Mrs Grassby: Put there by me.
MR LAMONT: Thanks to the reaction to appropriate community concerns by Mrs Grassby when she was the Minister responsible for such matters. We have been able to ameliorate the effect of this in the Belconnen area. I understand that similar facilities are being investigated for other major areas. In some of those areas it may not be appropriate to incorporate them as an adjunct to the town centres - say in Tuggeranong, because of the positioning of the Tuggeranong Town Centre. When I was at the Tuggeranong Town Centre recently, I saw there that there was a danger to the rollerbladers and skateboarders in crossing the roads between the Hyperdome and some of the other city facilities, and that also should be addressed by the committee as part of the investigation of this legislation.
I do not necessarily believe that all Liberals are wont to remove matters of joy to our children and our younger population - most are, but not all. I believe that it is an appropriate way for Mr Humphries to reflect the recent position of the conservative Opposition on the rights of children to participate in the types of sports and activities that, as kids, to a lesser or greater degree, we all did. The point Mr Moore may have been attempting to make is that at times, as we grow further away from childhood, our memories tend to dim about some of the activities we got up to when we were younger. Mr Humphries may even be able, in the next couple of weeks, to partake of some rollerblading and skateboarding as an appropriate form of recreation. I am told that it is extremely exhilarating.
Mr Humphries: I have given it up, David.
MR LAMONT: You have given up skateboarding now?
Mr Humphries: Yes.
MR LAMONT: That is very good. I am pleased, with your new state, that that is the case. I am sure that your partner would be extremely concerned about the damage you may cause to yourself, being inexpert in these areas.
This is an appropriate reference for the committee to take. I understand from the motion that there is no reporting date on Ms Szuty's proposed referral.
Ms Szuty: Yes, there is. It is 16 December.
MR LAMONT: I hope that we are able to conclude this matter well before then. We can have a reasonable debate prior to the end of the year on the matter outlined by Mr Humphries. I have received fairly substantial correspondence, from shopowners and the youth involved particularly in skateboarding, about some of the things that have been occurring to both sides. I was extremely disturbed that in one instance oil had been placed on footpaths to prevent
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