Page 3112 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 20 September 1994
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Housing and Community Services Bureau - Appointment
MR CORNWELL: My question is to the Minister for Housing and Community Services, Mr Lamont. Mr Lamont, is it a fact that Mr Peter Guild really was moved into the new position of General Manager, ACT Housing, to sort out a $52m to $54m ACT Housing Trust debt? If so, how was this massive debt acquired? If Mr Guild has not been appointed for this reason, why has he been appointed, given that we already have a Commissioner for Housing, Ms Birtles, and a General Manager, Housing, Mr Horsham, and, at least in my understanding, the department is not being divided into separate departments of Housing and Community Services.
MR LAMONT: No, Madam Speaker.
Floriade
MR STEVENSON: My question is to the Minister in charge of Floriade, Bill Wood. With the official opening of Floriade last Saturday, there is great interest in this major tourist attraction for Canberra. There has been a suggestion that proposals have been made to move Floriade from its current site and also perhaps to charge admission in the future. I think most people would think it is a superb site for Floriade, with proximity to the city, the large grounds available, the lake and so on. Would the Minister please comment on this suggestion?
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, Mr Stevenson was at Floriade on Saturday morning and we said good morning to each other, but perhaps he did not hear the Chief Minister's opening speech in which she said that there would be no charge for Floriade. That certainly expresses the Government's view of that issue. From time to time, it seems, the National Capital Planning Authority has suggested that Floriade might be located somewhere else since it is their park, in a sense. I am surprised at any such expression because I agree with Mr Stevenson - I think the Government agrees with Mr Stevenson - that it seems an ideal place. Nevertheless, when the NCPA makes such a statement - and it has been reported to me; it has never been said directly to me - it is then sensible that the Floriade board examine the issue. There have been some discussions, I believe, at board level at various times. I think the fact is pretty clear; there is nowhere better to go.
MR STEVENSON: I have a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Is it true that the industrial conditions are so bad down there that the bees are on strike, and they want shorter flowers and more honey?
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, I am speechless. My communication there is not all that great. I think it is a great event. The spectacle is developing as well as it ever has. I am sure Mr Stevenson enjoyed his morning there, and obviously he had some conversations that I did not have.
Ms Follett: I ask that further questions be placed on the notice paper.
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