Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2212 ..

MR MOORE (continuing):

such a penalty or such a burden on a family that they cannot manage it. I feel that it is not. It will be a great benefit for families to be able to access the sort of nature experience which will be contained in one place where it can be protected, access the advice of rangers and so forth. I am satisfied that the way it is being handled and is proposed to be handled is very good. That is why I have no hesitation in supporting this concept of Mr Humphries's. In other words, that is why it is that I will be rejecting the move by Mr Corbell.

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General and Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning) (4.20): Mr Speaker, I have spoken already, but I seek leave to make a few extra remarks.

Leave granted.

MR HUMPHRIES: I promised to put some comments on the record for Mr Osborne's benefit, so I want to do that.

Ms McRae: But he is not here.

MR HUMPHRIES: Yes, he is. He is over there. He is looking at things from a different perspective, Ms McRae. Mr Speaker, I had discussions with Mr Osborne over lunchtime, and I have taken on board the comments he has made about the need to make sure any restructuring of access to Tidbinbilla accommodates the needs of families. It was my view, and has been my view, that $20 for an annual pass for a family or group to get access to Tidbinbilla is a very reasonable fee indeed. Certainly, by comparison with any fee charged anywhere else in Australia for any other equivalent park or reserve, this is an extremely good fee. I nonetheless understand the nature of Mr Osborne's concerns. As I was hectored earlier this afternoon, the Government has to accept that it has to make compromises to achieve certain objectives.

I indicate to the Assembly that, if it rejects Mr Corbell's disallowance motion today, I will modify the determination tomorrow, touch wood - certainly by Tuesday, when the fees become effective - to reduce the $20 for an annual pass to $10. That will be a package aimed at families. If under that $10 annual pass a family wishes to visit only once, the actual cost to each member of the family will be $2. If they visit four times a year using that annual pass, the cost to each member will be 50c. I defy anybody to find better entertainment value than that in the ACT at the moment. For that $10 pass, members of the family will receive a Tidbinbilla map and guide, access to all public facilities and use of things like barbecues. They will also be eligible to take part in ranger-guided activities. The family will also receive additional benefits, including a family-focused newsletter and a booklet for the children who are part of that party. This is part of improving the educational element of Tidbinbilla. It is no secret that the Government has plans to upgrade the educational elements of Tidbinbilla in the near future. I believe that that will be quite achievable within the framework put forward today. Mr Speaker, I invite members to accept the modifications to that package and to reject Mr Corbell's motion.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .