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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 1 Hansard (15 February) . . Page.. 34 ..

MR STEFANIAK: No, I have seen that. You might well be aware, Mr Kaine, because you have been around this place for a long time, that there has been a bit of a saga over Northbourne Oval in regard to a number of aspects and the various players there which goes back well and truly to before this Government. I think Mr Wood had some dealings there on behalf of the previous Government. I recall trying to sort out a three-way tussle between the Raiders, the CDRL and the minor league and, I think, your league club, Harold, back in about 1995 or 1996. I was singularly unsuccessful, as a lot of my colleagues had been too, I think. Mr Humphries has tried, Mrs Carnell has tried, and Mr Hird has tried to use his good offices. Everyone has had a go, including, no doubt, some people opposite. I think Mr Wood did too.

The $1.7m, we assume, was to be used for training facilities for the Raiders at Northbourne Oval, and I think it was always quite clear that that was what the Government wanted. Those facilities would, of course, be available to local and junior rugby. Alas, Mr Kaine, such was not to be the case. I understand that the Raiders have been unable to agree on how they would gain appropriate access to the facilities. The Raiders have made it clear that resolving security of access has been a sticking point. We have tried and I think the impasse has gone on long enough.

The Raiders and the CIT have come up with an exciting proposal which will benefit not only those bodies but also the sport of rugby league generally. The facilities are needed. The funds have just been sitting there for some time, for far too long, and I think we do need to do something. I understand that at present the Raiders are in the process of completing negotiations with the Canberra Institute of Technology to use the oval at its Bruce campus.

As well as providing the much needed administration and training facilities, which was what we gave the money for, there are a number of benefits through a close relationship between the Canberra Institute of Technology and the Raiders. I understand that a development application for the work at the CIT Bruce campus has been lodged. I also acknowledge the support for the CIT-Raiders initiative from the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Mr Quinlan, through a recent press release of his, and I am sure he shares my wish to see the work proceed as soon as possible.

I have sought to ensure that the transfer arrangements can be done appropriately by the Treasurer. Ultimately, Mr Kaine, I think the public benefits through having the facility constructed on the CIT land will be very significant. It will do things like enhance the linkage between graduates of the CIT sport and rec programs and what is a high profile sporting body. They will work together in the development of appropriate training programs. It will make the upgraded facilities available for people other than just the Raiders too. It will help other CIT sporting programs and no doubt will also assist in furthering sports other than just rugby league. It also will make formal vocational training more accessible to Raiders players because of the proximity of the campus, and it will enable CIT staff to undertake professional development with the Raiders. It also will give CIT students the opportunity to undertake work experience with the Raiders - for example, masseurs.

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