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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 11 Hansard (25 September) . . Page.. 3402 ..

MR SPEAKER: You can do it in two ways. You can move an amendment to Ms Horodny's motion, or Ms Horodny can accept the amendment proposed by you into her own amendment.

MR BERRY: She did.

MR SPEAKER: In that case, that is in order. The question is: That Ms Horodny's amendment, as amended, be agreed to. That reads, "Further, that the Government should give an emphasis to new uses that will contribute to the ACT's economy in an ecologically sustainable and socially equitable manner". Is that correct?

Ms Horodny: Yes.

Amendment, as amended, agreed to.

MR OSBORNE (4.25): Mr Speaker, I want to speak very briefly about this whole debate. It is sad that it has dragged on for so long. Basically, I do not see this debate as being about whether futsal is a good thing or whether the Canberra rally is a good thing. I see it as being about consultation with the elected representatives of the ACT. Unfortunately, Mrs Carnell does not have a huge majority in this place and, she being part of a minority government, I would have expected that on an issue such as futsal she could at least have afforded the Assembly the courtesy of being consulted. I personally think it is going to be great for the ACT, and I commend her for it. I have no problem with it being down there by the lake. I feel that we should have more sporting facilities around that beautiful place.

Mr Berry: It is a bit hard for an indoor game when it rains.

MR OSBORNE: Let us build something over the top of it, Wayne; I do not mind. Seriously, Mr Speaker, I think we need to showcase the city to Australia-wide and possibly worldwide audiences. I think it is tremendous where it is. Really, it is only in a car park. I am sometimes amazed at the arguments people put up to stop some of the things that go on in Canberra. I think it is quite stupid and quite silly. We mention areas like the lake, and everyone treats it as if it is the last resting place of Jesus, or something like that. For the life of me, I cannot see why some people are like that. However, this debate is not about that; it is about consultation.

I would like to put on record that I think putting futsal there was a tremendous move and I support it wholeheartedly, but I still think the Assembly should at least have been consulted about it. I suppose that is more important, given their promise of being an open and consultative government. Really, the Government has no-one to blame but itself for this. They promised it but they did not deliver. However, I think futsal being there will be tremendous for the Territory. Mrs Carnell copped a fair bit of flak for going to Brazil, but I think we have seen that it has paid off. I do not mind giving someone a pat on the back when they deserve it, and I think we have more chance of being included in the Olympic program through issues like this. You have my support on that, Mrs Carnell. However, as I said before, this motion is about at least coming to us with it, so I will be supporting it, as amended.

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