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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 7 Hansard (30 June) . . Page.. 1901 ..

MR QUINLAN: Sorry. Michael, would you please desist. The Government's recent record in relation to events has not been all that flash, has it? Floriade fees, the Summer Festival of Sport, and the jury is still out on the Multicultural Festival and the Canberra Festival amalgamation. Why let organisations that bring us visitors and attention go out of business? I suggest that you go back and have a chat with the Canberra drag-racing club. You never know, you might be able to set up a photo opportunity for the Chief Minister, or an appointment as a patron.

Mr Smyth: That is uncalled for.

MR QUINLAN: I am having a bad day. Some arrangement may be forthcoming. I am, in fact, in favour of development at the airport. If looking after the long-term interests of the airport is the Government's objective, then why not set in place relocation arrangements for the dragway? Unless it is the Government's policy to have no dragstrip, there seems no reason for the Government not to do everything in its power to sort out the situation.

Mr Smyth: Which we have done.

MR QUINLAN: Well, you are not very good at it, are you, because it is not fixed.

Mr Smyth: Because I do not have the power. Are you asking me to do something illegal?

MR QUINLAN: Do you or do you not have the power to set rent conditions?

Mr Smyth: It is not my land. I do not.

MR QUINLAN: Is it not a condition of the Commonwealth lease that the ACT Government will set rent payments and other conditions? Are you denying that?

Mr Smyth: It is not my land. I am not responsible for it.

MR QUINLAN: So you are not denying that. Thank you. So far we have seen you do very little and it is your responsibility. I would like to see the Minister explain to this place why the situation now arises where the dragway, which has operated for quite some time, is now facing receivership. The Minister is not doing enough. Quite obviously, I commend the motion.

MR BERRY (10.30): I must say I was quite disturbed to hear that Mr Smyth is not going to argue the case in relation to his amendment because it is sub judice. We are not going to be allowed to hear the arguments. It is curious that he can say that in respect to his possible argument in relation to the amendment, but he is still able to put the amendment. It all strikes me as very curious.

His amendment in fact takes away an acknowledgment by this place that there has been an expression of concern about the failure of the ACT Government to fulfil its responsibilities under lease arrangements to set rent and other conditions. Has the Government briefed somebody to argue that it should not do these things? Has the

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