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None . . Page.. 307 ..

Following debate in the Assembly last week, I made personal representations to the Prime Minister to further state in writing the letter that had been on his table for signature. I think it is important here to put some of the statements that have already been made. In my letter of 10 April 1995, I said:

I am now writing to confirm my understanding of the agreements we have reached in relation to these matters. My understanding is as follows.

The Commonwealth Government agrees to provide additional Special Revenue Assistance to the ACT of $15 million in the 1995-96 financial year. Clearly this level of funding will be setting us a significant challenge.

I went on:

As well the Commonwealth agrees to make available to the ACT Government all land on the Kingston foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin.

The letter continued:

... the ACT ... agrees to provide the Commonwealth with - - -

Ms Follett: You missed out a bit.

MRS CARNELL: I am happy to read the lot if you like:

... the ACT ... agrees to provide the Commonwealth with the whole of the Acton Peninsula site up to the ANU border, minus the hospice and the cottage; to clear the site; and to provide necessary infrastructure up to $3 million in support of the Gallery of Aboriginal Australia as part of the network of the National Museum of Australia.

That was on 10 May. On 11 May, the Minister for Communications and the Arts, Michael Lee, put out a press release headed “Agreement Clears Way for Design Work to begin on Gallery of Aboriginal Australia”, which said:

The development of the Gallery of Aboriginal Australia as part of the network of the National Museum of Australia will go ahead at Acton Peninsula in Canberra, after successful negotiations between the Commonwealth and ACT Governments, and indigenous groups.

... Michael Lee announced today that negotiations have secured the Acton Peninsula site for the Gallery of Aboriginal Australia through a Commonwealth/ACT land swap deal.

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