Page 1064 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 20 April 1994
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The result, I suspect, on not a few occasions was that that particular issue of cultural development and the place of the arts in our society, particularly from a government point of view, was subservient or came second to other considerations that were faced by particular Ministers for the Arts.
To see culture and heritage consolidated in this way, I think, is an appropriate step. I am pleased to see that arts, museums, galleries and heritage come under the one banner, the one portfolio - - -
Mr Wood: They have been for a while, too.
MR HUMPHRIES: Yes, and that is an appropriate step. The only question I would pose is whether public libraries ought to be under the same umbrella. Public libraries in one sense play an urban services kind of role, but I suspect that they are as much cultural institutions as they are amenities like bus-stops or fire hydrants. I think they are somewhat different from those, and the Department of Urban Services may not be the appropriate place for them, but I make that comment in passing - - -
Mr Connolly: But Urban Services does a very good job.
MR HUMPHRIES: I am sure that Urban Services have done a very good job - up until now, anyway, Minister - - -
Mr Connolly: It will continue to do so.
MR HUMPHRIES: We will wait and see about that. We will make our judgment when the time comes. Childers Street is a positive development. It has our support. We are pleased that the Government has plans for a cultural and heritage centre, although I must say that I have not seen much detail about that. I look forward to a little more information about that so that we can be properly informed when we say that it is a good idea. It sounds like a good idea in principle. Madam Speaker, I commend these developments and hope that they lead to bigger and better things for our cultural scene in the ACT.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES
Discussion of Matter of Public Importance
MADAM SPEAKER: I have received a letter from Mrs Carnell proposing that a matter of public importance be submitted to the Assembly for discussion, namely:
The poor and declining state of community health services in the ACT and the urgent need for the new Minister to reverse the policy and management failures of his predecessor.
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