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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 3 Hansard (25 March) . . Page.. 861 ..

MR STEFANIAK: Mr Rugendyke, as I said on Tuesday, the Government has now received the report and it is considering the details of the report. It has not done so as yet. It will do so as soon possible. Once that is done, you will know what is happening.

MR RUGENDYKE: I ask a supplementary question. Minister, could you give a commitment to the Assembly that the entire $15m the Government promised for the pool will be spent on facilities in Belconnen?

MR STEFANIAK: Mr Rugendyke, I do not know whether you mean just the pool or other facilities in Belconnen as well. Your question is a bit ambiguous. I assume you mean $15m on the pool and ancillary facilities for the pool. As I said, the Government is looking at the report, and as soon as possible we will indicate what we think would be the best thing to do in relation to what the report says and recommends. It is a very detailed and lengthy report.

In relation to the actual $15m, let us take it one step at a time. Let us assume, Mr Rugendyke, that as a result of the report the Government feels that a pool and ancillary facilities should be built in Belconnen. Let us just take that step, if that is what actually occurs after we have digested the report and made our announcements accordingly. It would be impossible for me to say at this time whether, if that was the Government's decision, the Government would be spending $15m, $14m, $13m, $8m or $16m or who would be spending any amount of money. I think it is very premature to give a definite yes or no to a question like that, Mr Rugendyke.

Ms Carnell: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.

MR BERRY: I seek leave to table a letter, which was referred to in question time, from Mr David Butt to all staff in the Health Department.

Leave granted.

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Community Safety and Minister Assisting the Treasurer): Mr Speaker, during question time Mr Hargreaves made an interjection, making reference to Keystone Cops. I assume he was making reference to the Australian Federal Police in that remark. Although it may not be in breach of standing orders to make that reference, I think that to use that highly disparaging term of the Australian Federal Police in respect of their service to the ACT region is fairly uncalled for. I would remind Mr Hargreaves that some of his predecessors as shadow spokesperson on police came to serious grief using those sorts of terms in respect of the police. I would ask that, for the sake of goodwill on the part of the Assembly towards the Australian Federal Police and the difficult job they do, he withdraw that phrase.

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