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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 5 Hansard (15 May) . . Page.. 1265 ..

Mr Wood: That is an excuse.

MR DE DOMENICO: No, it is not an excuse. It is commercial reality, Mr Wood. If you can tell us where we can find $5.6m just like that, please let us know. We would be delighted to hear your point of view. It took you four years not to find the $5.6m. We have not been able to find it in 18 months. Give us a bit more time, Mr Wood. The costs associated with relocating or otherwise managing the current North Building tenants - we have to think of the people currently there, Mr Wood - come to up to $5.6m and are not allowed for in the project's budget. You would know that, Mr Wood, because it was not allowed for in the $7m when you were in government. Therefore, the North Building, as Mr Moore said, may not be suitable. We are looking currently at other sites, for example, the Link. The Link is another area that we are looking at. That takes time, Mr Wood, but let me assure you that the Government has that in mind.

Mr Wood also talks about government accommodation in Gungahlin. Had he read the newspapers or had he come upstairs and asked some people some questions, he would know that the Department of Urban Services, in conjunction with the Department of Health, is currently examining the feasibility of co-locating central health functions in the Gungahlin Town Centre. It is unlikely that any capital works funding will be required this financial year. Why not? Because we cannot stick a building in the middle of a paddock with no infrastructure around it. Mr Wood would know that. However, this Government is looking at the feasibility of co-locating office accommodation in the Gungahlin Town Centre. If it is feasible to do so, we will do it, Mr Wood. We will probably do it before our term expires - in other words, within a period of three years, Mr Wood, unlike you. You did nothing in a period of four years.

Mr Wood once again talks about the Belconnen indoor pool. He would know that it was nominated as a potential project in 1999-2000 by the Bureau of Sport, Recreation and Racing in their forward estimates. Mr Wood, before we go spending money like that willy-nilly we need to have a look at the necessities of the community, and we have to have a look at the broad section of needs throughout the entire length and breadth of the ACT. Once again, Mr Wood, let me assure you that the Government has not handpassed that one across.

Mr Wood also talks about a visual arts facility. This project was a late inclusion in the 1994-95 forward design program at $2.8m. One wonders why it was a late inclusion. It happened to be just before an election. That is why it was a late inclusion. No studies were done on it, mind you; you just stuck it into the books and hoped for the best. You said, "If we win, we do not have to build it anyway; we can always pull it out". That is why it was included in the 1994-95 forward design program. Once again, Mr Wood, we will look and see whether there is a necessity for that first. We will have a look at the feasibility and where to put it, before we go spending money willy-nilly.

Mr Wood talked about the extension of Ginninderra Drive to Northbourne Avenue. To his credit, he did say that that is a matter that places other than this have a say in. I am delighted if people from the Federal House have changed their minds about that. I would be very anxious to hear from them as well. Mr Wood also talks about the duplication of Drakeford Drive north of Isabella Drive. I live just north of Isabella Drive.

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