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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 4 Hansard (20 April) . . Page.. 980 ..

MR STEFANIAK: I thank the member for the supplementary question. I will get back to him on how long is proposed, if indeed it has been worked out yet. Whilst ensuring that the needs of SOCOG and the Olympics are met, we would naturally be keen to ensure that any withdrawals that occur are for as short a period as possible.

At times we need to redo ovals. We have had problems in recent years, for example, with scarabs and various other infestations. Some of the ovals are very old and periods of maintenance are needed. That means that an oval might be withdrawn from public use for a period and other arrangements made with the sporting groups that use it. Obviously, similar arrangements would be made with sporting groups who would be using ovals at the time SOCOG needs them. I will get back to you on the exact details. I am not too sure whether all the exact details have been worked out yet. We can keep you informed of those as events transpire.

MR RUGENDYKE: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, during the last sitting period I asked the Minister for sports whether he could advise the Assembly when the Government would be releasing the feasibility study into the public costs and benefits of the proposed Belconnen pool, which we are still waiting to see. Since I asked that question, the Australian Institute of Sport have advertised for expressions of interest for the provision of health and fitness associated services from its site in Bruce. This obviously includes the AIS pool. Chief Minister, has the ACT Government or ACT government departments had any contact or discussion with the AIS about becoming involved with, or taking over, the AIS pool or any other AIS facilities; and, if so, what are the details?

MS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I am not aware of any discussions with regard to taking over the AIS pool. It is my understanding that no decisions have been made by the Australian Institute of Sport with regard to the relocation of any sporting programs after the Olympics. I am advised by the Federal Minister for Sports that there is a full review going on of where all sports in and out of the Olympic program will be located after the Olympics. The Federal Minister gives me an assurance that the Australian Institute of Sport will continue in its current role as the prestige institution that it is. Mr Speaker, I am unaware of that particular ad. I will take on notice the question as to whether we have had any contact with the AIS with regard to that particular issue.

MR RUGENDYKE: I ask a supplementary question. Thank you, Chief Minister. Bearing in mind the precedent set by the ACT Government's involvement with Bruce Stadium, what is the Government's position on putting money into taking over and upgrading the AIS pool?

MS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, if the AIS were to relocate their swimming program and the pool were freed up for other uses, it would be an issue that the ACT Government would look at but, as I said, no decision has been taken to relocate their swimming program. In fact, I would be working very hard to ensure that that did not happen.

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