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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 3 Hansard (25 March) . . Page.. 847 ..

MS CARNELL (continuing):

the biggest concerts we have seen in Canberra for a long time. I would have thought those opposite would have been quite positive about the whole idea. This was part of the brief for the marketing operation. Further examples are advice on furniture and fittings for corporate products; advice on pricing structure for corporate products; and other services which may be requested by Bruce Operations from time to time.

In providing these services to BOPL, Nationwide Venue Management must liaise with Bruce Operations Pty Ltd on all matters pertaining to service delivery and seek and utilise wherever possible the expertise of the major hirers in order to maximise revenue opportunities for the stadium and the hirers. They have also demonstrated a commitment to the joint objectives of Bruce Operations Pty Ltd and the major hirers in delivering a brand-new product and concept to the Canberra marketplace.

Kevin Neil has called for NVM to be sacked. This cannot and should not be done. Normally I would have thought those opposite, particularly Mr Quinlan, would have known that sacking people halfway through their contract was a tiny bit exposing to the Territory. It is the sort of thing that gets you sued. I wonder whether Mr Quinlan is actually suggesting that we should expose the Territory to a suit.

The Raiders, along with the Brumbies, were involved in securing NVM as the successful marketing consortium for the stadium. Bruce Operations cannot terminate the contract for anything less than breach of contract, which is exactly what you would normally expect. There has been no breach of contract. Mr Quinlan is asking us to sack somebody who has not breached their contract because Kevin Neil said so. That is a very unusual approach to policy direction. Bruce Operations Pty Ltd cannot terminate the contract merely because one of the hirers disagrees with some of NVM's advice. That is the scenario here.

Any teething problems with the stadium generally are being addressed through a management forum every week between Bruce Operations and Brumbies' and Raiders' representatives. The sale of suites and other corporate products is going well, with the only problems being of an operational nature due to the fact that Bruce Stadium has not been completed. There are always going to be problems or issues for the first couple of major events at a major venue like Bruce Stadium. Those opposite are doing everything in their power to make this stadium fail. They are going to fail because - - -

Opposition members interjected.

MS CARNELL: I know they are embarrassed, Mr Speaker.

Opposition members interjected.

MS CARNELL: Quite seriously, Mr Speaker, I do not have to put up with interjections.

MR SPEAKER: Order, please! They are not interjections. It is total heckling.

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