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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 3 Hansard (24 March) . . Page.. 754 ..

MS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, obviously the ACT Government does support the AIS. All of the rest of the question is simply irrelevant to ACT Government. It relates to Federal Government policy, Federal Government administration and Federal Liberal policy, all of which, Mr Speaker, I cannot answer questions on in this place.

MR CORBELL: My question is to the Minister for Urban Services and it is in relation to the Canberra International Dragway. Can the Minister confirm that the expired lease for the Canberra International Dragway at block 520, Majura, was written by the Territory on behalf of the Commonwealth and that the Territory inserted the provisions relating to determinations for national land purpose, rent and other lease conditions?

Mr Hird: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I draw your attention to private members business item No. 5, namely, Canberra International Dragway. I would say that the member is anticipating debate of something that is on the notice paper this day.

MR CORBELL: What standing order, Mr Hird?

MR SPEAKER: Standing order 117(f). I listened carefully to Mr Corbell's question. Whilst, yes, I suppose you could argue that the matter could be canvassed in item No. 5, it is not specifically mentioned there. I think, therefore, that Mr Smyth can answer it.

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, as I said yesterday, this lease was issued in the transition period from Federal control to self-government. Some of the functions at that time, I understand, had not been divided; so, yes, you could say that at that time Territory public servants did issue that lease on behalf of the Federal Government. I am not aware that the Territory insisted that those conditions be inserted. I would have to find out.

MR SPEAKER: Do you have a supplementary question?

MR CORBELL: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, as the Territory did write this lease and issue it to the dragway on behalf of the Commonwealth, why are you now refusing to make the determinations in relation to declaration of a national land purpose, rent and other conditions since they are determinations which the Territory gave to itself to exercise?

Mr Humphries: Mr Speaker, I ask you to rule on the question of whether this anticipates debate. If that does not, what does?

MR SPEAKER: I think Mr Smyth can answer it. He has, in fact, answered it.

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, the lease was issued on behalf of the national government. It is the Federal Government's lease. It is on national capital land. I am not sure of my copy of the Territory Plan. I should keep it down here. We spoke to Mr Hargreaves previously about the orange bits there, the residentials. Perhaps we should talk to Mr Corbell about the grey bits and national land.

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