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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 11 Hansard (4 November) . . Page.. 3536 ..

Mrs Littlewood: Okay, Mr Overtime; it is all right.

MR WHITECROSS: You looked better with your hat on; you should put your hat back on. Minister, can you explain the current status of the proposed redevelopment of Phillip Oval, at a cost of $8m? Why was the announcement made by one of your advisers in advance of a Cabinet decision? Was this based on the outcome of a feasibility study? How much did the feasibility study cost, and will you table it? Has Cabinet now confirmed your adviser's decision? Is the only way that you can get a decision through Cabinet to get one of your advisers to announce it in advance of Cabinet authorisation?

Mr Humphries: Is Andrew in Cabinet?

Mrs Carnell: I do not know.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

MR STEFANIAK: That is right. I am not too sure that Cabinet even thinks that is a Cabinet decision, Mr Whitecross. You would be aware, if you paid any attention to sporting matters, Mr Whitecross, that there has been considerable consultation, which was certainly something this Government wanted to see, between all the relevant sporting groups in relation to using Phillip and Manuka ovals. You would also be well aware, if you spoke to those sporting groups, Mr Whitecross, that - and I think blind Freddy could tell you - there are probably significant problems with things like parking and lights at Manuka. That is certainly something that weighs heavily in terms of any assessment as to what might occur in relation to those two ovals. Accordingly, Mr Whitecross, I think what you have there are indications of something the Government is certainly considering at present in terms of what is best for all the sporting codes, especially the Australian football code who are very keen to have a first-class oval. As you may or may not be aware, they actually run Phillip Oval.

Mr Whitecross: I have been to Phillip Oval, actually.

MR STEFANIAK: You have? I am glad to hear it, Mr Whitecross. There is also this Government's commitment to ensure that we spend some $8.8m not only in terms of any assessment but also in terms of actually redeveloping a quality oval where AFL games can be played.

MR SPEAKER: Do you have a supplementary question, Mr Whitecross?

MR WHITECROSS: Mr Speaker, my supplementary question is: Minister, was the essence of your answer that, in fact, the Government has not made any decision to redevelop Phillip Oval at all? That seemed to be what you were saying. Can you confirm that is what you are saying? If that is the case, when will you be making a decision? If it is not the case, can you answer all the matters I raised in the first place about the feasibility study and tabling it?

Mrs Carnell: You cannot make policy statements in question time.

MR SPEAKER: That is a very convoluted question.

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