Page 1184 - Week 04 - Thursday, 21 April 1994
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Ms Follett: In time they will.
MR DE DOMENICO: Yes, in time they will. That is an important point. There may be many members of the community out there who think that 1c spent on us is 1c too many. With the completion of this building I think self-government in the Territory has come of age. There is no doubt about that. I join with Ms Follett in congratulating Mitchell Giurgola and Thorp, John Hindmarsh and the people from ACT Public Works and Services. The shift was made over a weekend. The desks and furniture, and boxes of books and papers of 17 members were moved. I came into my office on the Monday morning and found every box that I had left on the Friday night at another place. They did it in 48 hours. I think the workmen do need to be commended for that.
Mr Lamont: I will return the two boxes, Mr De Domenico. I have two. I will return them.
MR DE DOMENICO: Mine? Right.
Mr Humphries: They were in Wayne's office, were they?
MR DE DOMENICO: He has plenty of room. Yes, Ms Follett, we agree also that the accessibility of the community to this building is fantastic. I dare say that we noted that we have come of age in that we can be door-stopped, or some of us can be door-stopped, on the way in and out of this place by people with microphones. As I said, it is modest but appropriate. I think it is a magnificent building. I certainly do not have many complaints, but I suppose I need less room than most people. Once again I thank John Hindmarsh and his team for getting it done on time, and I also thank the people who continue to work here on the spot, fixing the little things that crop up from time to time - the people working on the sound system, the people who put up the clocks and everything else. The job is well done. Thank you very much. On behalf of the Liberal Party, I am pleased to endorse Ms Follett's comments.
MR MOORE (3.11): Madam Speaker, I also was a member of your committee. I am very pleased to stand here and support this motion of thanks. Some of the principals involved in putting the building together are in the gallery today. I think that a great deal of credit is due to them. I think the best contrast of all, Madam Speaker, is with the Northern Territory Parliament House. It is due to be opened within a couple of months and has cost 10 times this building, although they have a population of about half ours. I am sure that that will be drawn to some people's attention at different times. I think it reflects the attitude that all members in this Assembly have to what is appropriate.
The work that has been put into this building has been of a high standard. We see that everywhere we walk. It is a delight to work here. One of the great pleasures I get comes from opening a window in my office occasionally and letting a bit of fresh air in. I find that a joy. The implication arising from a series of Liberal questions is that my office is nearly as big as Mr Berry's, or bigger. That is quite extraordinary, I think.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .