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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 6 Hansard (3 September) . . Page.. 1943 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

I am pleased to see that in this budget, and it is a difficult budget, the Government is attempting to reduce its deficit. I made the point in the Estimates Committee that the sports budget has been maintained. That, in a difficult budget, is pleasing. It would be lovely, Mr Speaker, if it could have been increased a bit. It would be lovely because of such things as the increased costs of ground maintenance that we have to find within our own budget. It would be absolutely fantastic if we could have a few extra hundred thousand dollars; but it is significant, Mr Speaker, that in a very difficult economic climate, with most government agencies suffering cuts - in some cases fairly significant cuts - the budget was maintained. That, I think, is significant and is very much a plus.

Mr Quinlan also mentioned Football Park, Phillip, and the money in capital works in relation to the development of that park as well as in relation to Manuka. You should be aware, but you may not be, that very shortly after that very successful AFL game on 1 August I had meetings, along with the Chief Minister, with a representative from the Australian Football League. The AFL are currently looking at what needs to occur with Phillip. They are also looking at Manuka. They are doing a number of things in conjunction with the Australian Cricket Board and they are very keen in relation to developing those facilities. They will be getting back to the Government very shortly in terms of what they think is the way to go and what timeframes and priorities they would like to see. So, Mr Quinlan, it may not necessarily be lights initially. I was delighted to see a commitment from the AFL. I was especially delighted as there was a fair bit of nervousness in Canberra after the announcement was made back in May of plans for New South Wales and the ACT. There was some concern that perhaps this would seriously affect our chances of ever, on a regular basis, having AFL games. I think the commitment shown by the AFL in terms of that meeting is very heartening, and I look forward to seeing what they come back with. There is a very positive step there.

Ms Tucker made some comments which I think I addressed in relation to my comments regarding Mr Berry. Mr Wood also made a number of comments and I will deal with them now. Mr Wood dealt with Quamby. The review suggested a number of steps we should take, including altering the staffing arrangements at Quamby. The matters they raised and the suggestions they raised in relation to a better staffing structure and systems are currently being worked through between the Quamby staff, the relevant union, management and the department. There may well be some merit, Mr Wood, in me advising the Assembly in a ministerial statement of how that is all progressing. I will certainly look at that. It may or may not be sensible to do it during the next sitting. I will see what is the most appropriate time in terms of significant developments, but I think you will be pleased that the review also recommended better educational programs.

We have done a considerable amount in terms of better programs over the last three years or so. I was delighted, when the debate was going on in the media four to six weeks ago, to hear the CPSU representative say that there had been very significant improvement over the last four years at Quamby. That is so, but institutions like that are inherently difficult. I think we all accept that. I think Ms Tucker made some very valid comments about institutions such as the various gaols, the Belconnen Remand Centre and Quamby.

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