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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 5 Hansard (15 May) . . Page.. 1497 ..

MR KAINE: I do not know in particular why the Kaleen agency is being closed, but ACTTAB is constantly reviewing its activities and providing its services in places which it judges as being best for the service it provides. If it has decided to close Kaleen - I take it from the question that Ms McRae believes it has - I can only assume that it is for an operational reason. ACTTAB is a government-owned corporation which operates under its own board. It does not seek directives from me, nor should it. Unless there were very good reasons, I would not seek to intrude into any operational decision that it makes. I am not aware of the circumstances, but I will take that part of the question on notice and find out for Ms McRae what the reasons were for its closure.

MS McRAE: Thank you. Mr Speaker, perhaps I inadvertently misled the Minister. I believe it is an agreement with a particular agent at Kaleen. I am not sure that the agency is actually closing. The representation put to me is that there is a level of personal difference going on; so, Minister, I would appreciate an explanation of that. I understand from your general reply that you do not actually interfere in it. That is what I needed to know. Beyond that, if you could give me an explanation in private, that would be very good.

MR KAINE: Mr Speaker, I am happy to ascertain the circumstances and provide them.

MS HORODNY: My question is directed to Mr Stefaniak in his capacity as Minister for Sport and Recreation. I refer to the media release, Mr Stefaniak, which you issued yesterday and in which you announced that Fairbairn Park has been designated as the permanent home for motor sports in the ACT. I assume you are referring to the fact that the Fairbairn Park Control Council, the organisation which manages the site, currently has only a short-term lease on that site and that it has been renewed on a quarterly basis for a number of years. Minister, can you explain to me the legal basis on which you have made this decision to allow motor racing to be sited permanently on this location, when the Motor Sports Council has not yet even completed a preliminary assessment of its application for a 20-year extension of the lease over block 306 Majura and sought public comment on this assessment, which it is required to do under the Land Act? Are you suggesting that the processes under the Land Act are a mere formality for the Government?

MR SPEAKER: Mr Stefaniak, you are aware, of course, that you cannot give a legal opinion.

MR STEFANIAK: Yes, thank you, Mr Speaker. No, the Government believes in process, Ms Horodny, and that is exactly what is happening here. I am aware that the Motor Sports Council, the people involved at Fairbairn Park, are working with my colleague Mr Humphries's land and planning people in relation to the preliminary assessment. Obviously, that will be produced and the relevant process will flow from that. You are correct, Ms Horodny; I understand that they are seeking a 20-year lease.

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