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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 3 Hansard (23 March) . . Page.. 677 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

Government and other governments around Australia are taking. Mr Kaine, if you believe that your view represents the view of a majority of members, then take that step onto the floor of the Assembly. I do not think it does represent either the view of the majority in this place or the view of a person who is about minimising harm to the community. That is what I am here for - to minimise harm to the community.

MR CORBELL: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Urban Services. Minister, can you explain why you have, on behalf of the Territory, refused to determine the amount of rent and other lease conditions for a new lease for the Canberra International Dragway at block 520, Majura, as is required under the dragway's previous lease?

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, the issue of the dragway is a curious one. The lease that was issued was issued in the transition period for self-government when responsibilities moved from the Federal Government to the Territory Government. For those parts of the lease that I can answer for, we have responded and responded with as much enthusiasm as we can. The issue is an issue about national land. It is a Defence facility that the land is leased on and it is a matter for the Federal Government.

MR CORBELL: Can the Minister confirm that, as a result of his inaction on this issue, he has placed the Territory in a position where it will be held liable for the closure of a sporting facility which attracted over 18,000 people last year and which has attracted over $2m worth of tourist activity to the ACT?

MR SPEAKER: Mr Minister, be careful as you cannot answer a question that asks for a legal opinion.

MR SMYTH: I certainly cannot, Mr Speaker, because I am not a lawyer. I would certainly leave that to the Attorney-General. In response to the question, Mr Corbell has this habit of starting all his questions with assertions as though they were fact. He starts this question by saying, "Due to your inactivity". My department and I have not been inactive on this issue. I have met with representatives of the dragway. The department has sent letters. We have answered what we believe to be our obligation. I have rung the office of the Federal Minister for Defence to make sure that they were aware of what was happening in their department. We have not been inactive. Therefore, the rest of Mr Corbell's question based on his assertion is not relevant to this issue.

MS TUCKER: Mr Speaker, my question is to Mr Smyth as the Minister responsible for housing and relates to the Narrabundah Long Stay Caravan Park. Are you aware, Minister, that the Community Law Reform Commission is working on a discussion paper - I understand that it is a discussion paper - regarding residential tenancy rights for people in caravan parks and relocatable homes?

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