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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (25 June) . . Page.. 2079 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

Mr Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the staff and the managers of all the agencies who have been responsible for this dramatic improvement, particularly the Workplace Injury Prevention and Management Group headed by Mr Stewart Ellis. I should add that this improvement does not mean that the ACT Public Service can afford to let up on its efforts to improve our performance in the area of workers compensation. We can always get better. All agencies will be required to improve health and safety in the workplace and injury management programs.

Mr Speaker, I have heard Mr Berry over there claim - I still find it really amazing, and he did it again just a few minutes ago - even on radio, that the reduction in the premium was due to him. Mr Berry, you have to be joking. This is the man who was actually the Minister and allowed the claims to blow out, Mr Speaker. He then claims that because he chaired a committee it was all to do with him that this situation happened. Mr Speaker, this same man presided over the massive increase in the premium and did nothing about it when in government.

Mr Berry: You cannot lie straight in bed and you cannot say that with a straight face.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Berry, I warn you.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, the next thing you know, Mr Berry will be going on radio and taking a bow for the reduction in waiting lists at the hospital. He told me they were a bit long, and because he said that it must be his responsibility that they are now going down. In fact, they have gone down by some 700 or 17 per cent since we came to government. The bottom line, Mr Speaker, is that this Government, not those over there who claim to be the fount of all wisdom - unfortunately, they were the ones who let the whole situation blow out, Mr Speaker - has achieved the turnaround in our premium, and in a way that will actually help the people who are employed by the ACT Public Service. That means there will be fewer people injured in the workplace, and those who are injured will be managed better.

MS HORODNY: My question is directed to the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Mr Stefaniak. My question relates to the Fairbairn Park motor racing complex, and specifically block 515, which is the block next to Fairbairn Park on the corner of Pialligo Avenue and Sutton Road. I have in the past raised questions in this Assembly about the future of this block, as it was my understanding that the Fairbairn Park Control Council wanted to take over this currently vacant block and build a new speedway there. Mr Stefaniak, in response to my concerns you stated, on 7 May:

... there certainly has been no formal proposal to construct any additional tracks at Fairbairn Park.

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