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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 9 Hansard (31 August) . . Page.. 2579 ..

MR BERRY (continuing):

But the biggest thundercloud of the lot hanging over this Government's management of resources in the Territory is the thundercloud of the Bruce Stadium. It was an appalling episode. ACTEW cannot afford more Bruce Stadiums. The money has to come from somewhere to pay for these sorts of things, and we cannot keep bleeding ACTEW. You have based all of your successes on bleeding ACTEW white.

Mr Speaker, this Appropriation Bill is based on a document of two pages plus a cover sheet which talks about the key issues of the V8 Supercar proposal. There are some things built into the issue which are always the subject of debate, and one is the economic impact on the ACT. The net economic benefit to the ACT over five years of $51m includes promotional value. I watch a bit of V8 supercar racing on the television. The things I see most on television are concrete barriers and advertising signs. I do not see many views of the various places where these races are held. Yes, Canberra will be mentioned, but these economic impact benefits tend to be a bit rubbery, though there is no doubt an important value in exposure of the ACT with these sorts of programs.

The message it sends in relation to the environment is one that many Canberrans will be interested in. I was approached in the street yesterday about this issue. The people have lost out. They have not been able to have their say publicly in an estimates forum, a public committee examination - - -

Mr Humphries: We did not have time in the space of four days.

MR BERRY: We said we would have it ready for debate this week, that is, by next Thursday. They would have had plenty of time to come forward if they had been given the opportunity to come here and voice their opinions about the matter, but that opportunity is now lost. The economic impact of this issue will be felt by the tourism industry but, most importantly, by the territory budget. This, in effect, is going to be a very heavy subsidy to the tourism industry in the ACT and to motor car racing outside of the ACT.

Mr Humphries: And inside it too.

MR BERRY: I am glad Mr Humphries interjected "inside". I cannot forget the Government's enthusiasm for this particular proposal but its lack of enthusiasm for the drag racing strip at Pialligo. Why is it that something that is no cost to the Government and produces $2m per year in tourism benefits is ignored by the Government? It gets almost overwhelmed by its enthusiasm for this sort of event, but it cannot look after the ones it already has.

There is a smell of hypocrisy about this when it comes to the Government's position in relation to motor sport. On the one hand, motor sport that was bought and paid for by non-government means and that provides a benefit to the tourism industry and to the ACT is ignored - in fact, treated with contempt - and, on the other hand, a high-flying event gets bubbling, enthusiastic support.

Mr Humphries: You are very negative about this, are you not, Wayne?