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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 13 Hansard (4 December) . . Page.. 4599 ..

MR MOORE (continuing):

So, I am absolutely delighted that Mr Corbell has been able to find a way which is acceptable to the Motorsport Council. I am sure it is not their preferred option; I am sure their preferred option is the way the Government regulation is. But it is a compromise that they are prepared to accept and a compromise that the Ridgeway residents are prepared to accept. I think that is what I was looking for and, I must say, to be fair to him, Mr Hoyle was looking for, correctly, some years ago. Therefore, I am comfortable about supporting the amendment that has been put by Mr Corbell and Labor.

MR STEFANIAK (Minister for Education and Training and Minister for Sport and Recreation) (4.05): Mr Corbell seems to have the numbers on this occasion. Having talked to Mr Hoyle, the chairman of the Fairbairn Park Control Council, the Motorsport Council seems reasonably happy with and can live with the proposal. There are a number of problems with it which I trust can be ironed out, given that it now seems that this will get up.

We on the Government side think that what we have proposed is a better solution; it does give more certainty. There is still some uncertainty in terms of what Mr Corbell is proposing. I hope that uncertainty does not see this issue continually drag on for many more years. It is unfair to the thousands of men, women and children who participate in ACT motor sport for that to happen. Mr Osborne spoke, I think, in favour of the Government motion and against the unreasonable stand taken by a few people at the Ridgeway even at this late stage. However, it does seem that what Mr Corbell is proposing, if done properly, will be suitable to motor sport. I certainly hope so.

I am disturbed to hear Ms Horodny, who, I note, will not be here next time, representing the Greens, say that this is not the end of the matter. Why we think what the Government has proposed is better is that it does give certainty and does get over problems and complaints from a few people that go back many years - well over a decade, in fact. In fact, the environment protection people in Canberra have told me it really goes back about 20 years. I am disturbed to hear the comments by the Greens that they feel that this is not the end of the matter. For goodness sake, I hope it is.

When Mr Corbell, if they are the government and he is Environment Minister, comes to regulate a regime for motor sport at Fairbairn Park, I certainly hope it is fair to motor sport. I note the comments he makes. I do not have any reason to doubt that at this stage; but I certainly hope that it will be the end of the matter, because one of the biggest problems that have been faced in the past has been the constant uncertainty, constant changing of positions and different regimes that have been tried. That is why I feel the Government proposal is far better. I note what other members have said. I can read the numbers. I also note what has been said by the Motorsport Council. The Government will not be supporting Mr Corbell's amendment, but I note the numbers in the Assembly on the issue.

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