Page 2761 - Week 09 - Thursday, 26 August 1993
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Mr Humphries: It is not the idea of question time.
MR CONNOLLY: Mr Humphries will indicate that the idea of question time is to score cheap political points. Ms Szuty thinks the idea of question time is for members representing members of the community to gain information. The public can decide which of you has the better approach to question time.
In fact the article in the Canberra Times referred to the report and said that we would be looking at this. I was not sure whether we had started the trial opening or not when I spoke to her this morning. In fact, we have not yet. It is a goal. We would like to get some libraries opening on a Sunday because we know that young people, particularly college students, would find that extremely useful. As part of the planning process for the next financial year, we are going to look at a range of options. The consultant's report that this was based on actually recommended opening the libraries on Sundays with a trade-off for some other matters, like closing the Civic library on Saturday afternoon and closing the Kippax library altogether. I have already made it clear that the Government will not be closing the Kippax library and the option of closing the Civic library on Saturday afternoon is obviously very unattractive. Given that the goal is to make it easier for, particularly, college students who may wish to use a library, chopping out Saturday afternoon in Civic would be very counterproductive.
We are rejecting some of the things that they were looking for us to trade off for Sunday opening. However, we are looking at a wider assessment of opening hours and business planning for the Library Service. This will include seeking user and non-user views about the most appropriate opening hours, cost implications and the impact on staffing. I should point out that the discussions with the staff are important because, in the context of enterprise bargaining with the unions, it may be possible to come up with some arrangements for the library staff that allow us to have more flexible opening hours within the constraints of our budget.
MS SZUTY: I have a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Given that the trials have not commenced yet, when does the Minister expect that libraries will be open on Sundays for a trial period?
MR CONNOLLY: I cannot give you a specific date, Ms Szuty. As I say, the recommendations were based on some offsets that we have rejected. We are looking at ways of doing it without those offsets.
Canberra Airport
MR WESTENDE: My question is also directed to Mr Connolly, the Minister responsible for transport. What recent steps has the Government taken in furthering debate on developing an international airport in Canberra? If Australia wins the Olympics in the year 2000, would it not be to the great advantage of the ACT to have an international airport? Would the Minister agree that, as the national capital, Canberra should have an international airport? Would the Minister further agree that, in order to benefit most from the forthcoming visit to Japan of the Chief Minister, we do need an international airport?
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