Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 4 Hansard (20 April) . . Page.. 967 ..

Mr Moore: There has not been a government decision on it.

MR OSBORNE: Mr Moore says there has not been a government decision. The information has been quite clear from our perspective, Mr Speaker, that the Government's preferred option, and the reason they were not going to pay for it themselves, was that by employing a private company they would be able to pay the thing off - I think that was one of the terms used - and we would get it back. Obviously, a final decision has not been made, but I am concerned that different information is going to different committees.

Mr Speaker, I too, like the Chief Minister, am concerned at the hypocrisy of certain members on this committee in relation to the Ainslie Public School and the Belconnen pool. Quite clearly, some members of this committee have used this committee to push the views of their own constituency. It is not that I would ever do that, Mr Speaker, but I do think it is regrettable that Mr Hird and Mr Rugendyke have used the draft capital works report to push their barrow.

Mr Smyth: The Belconnen cartel.

MR OSBORNE: The Belconnen cartel, as Mr Smyth says. I, for one, would support a government that chose not to go ahead with the Belconnen pool. I think that part of Canberra is well serviced. They have a number of pools out there, Mr Speaker. They have the Jamison one, they have Kippax, and they have the AIS. I would support the Government putting a third pool down in Tuggeranong where it is desperately needed in the Conder Valley. I hope the Government will consider that. I think it is an absolute disgrace that Mr Rugendyke and Mr Hird have abused the responsibility that this committee has given them. Quite clearly, they have not gone into this inquiry with an open mind, as I do on all issues, Mr Speaker. I can understand the reluctance of Mr Stefaniak not wanting the pool to go ahead until the next election, given that he does have a history of sod-turning in relation to this pool.

Mr Speaker, as I said, apart from that fact, I think the committee has done a good job. I have not been completely through the report. The one major concern is clarification of the Government's preferred option in relation to the prison. It is something that is very real for the Justice Committee. It is an issue that is of the highest priority to us, as it is, I think, to most members of this committee, and it is regrettable that we had to find it hidden away in this report. Nevertheless, Mr Speaker, I commend the committee. It is a very hard process, and I look forward to hearing from Mr Hird today in response to what the Chief Minister had to say about the report.

Debate (on motion by Mr Smyth ) adjourned.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .