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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (24 June) . . Page.. 1970 ..

MS McRAE: Mr Speaker, my question is to Mr Stefaniak in his capacity as Minister for Sport and Recreation. I refer to the recent report by LRM Australia where they recommend that the Dickson pool be phased out of use. You have said today that you have no intention of closing the pool; but, Minister, can you inform the house as to what you do intend to do? Are you planning to let the facility run down and to let it be closed by default? Can you give a categorical and unequivocal undertaking that you will not let the Dickson pool run down to the point where it has to be closed?

MR STEFANIAK: I have a short answer to that one, Mr Speaker. I think it is res ipsa loquitur - let the facts speak for themselves. You might note, Ms McRae, that, in terms of the Dickson pool's immediate future, the Government is about to undertake a substantial upgrade of the Dickson aquatic centre, valued at over $130,000, which is due for completion prior to the 1997-98 season. That is hardly letting a pool run down.

MS McRAE: I have a supplementary question. Minister, what have you done to assure the users, the managers and all the people who are concerned about the Dickson pool that you will not run down this pool?

Mrs Carnell: Spend $130,000.

MS McRAE: Mrs Carnell may laugh because there is $130,000 that is actually going to be spent; but, in terms of the costs of the pool, that is a very trivial amount of money, and it would be quite easy to run the pool down - - -

MR SPEAKER: Ask your question.

MS McRAE: If she did not interject, I would not be explaining.

MR SPEAKER: You are addressing the question to Mr Stefaniak.

MS McRAE: I am explaining. It is quite trivial in the realm of the expense that is needed for the pool, and it is not assuring at all, Minister, that you are spending $130,000 this year. It is clear that a rival company to Leisure Australia is running Dickson. What have you told the people of Canberra and the users about the - - -

Mr Kaine: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: Is this a statement or a supplementary question?

MS McRAE: I am just asking the question and - - -

Mr Kaine: You are not asking the question at all.

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