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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 4 Hansard (28 March) . . Page.. 948 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

My colleagues the Minister for Education and the Minister for Health and I held a round table recently to look at needs, particularly those of youth. We invited all those with an interest in the sector to make sure that as a government, working together, we were able to look after those in need in the youth sector as well. I believe a report is just about to be delivered to the three Ministers. We will look at that. We will always look at those most in need to make sure that we look after their needs as best we can as a government that is capable of balancing the books without forgetting the social needs of our community.

MR QUINLAN: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Urban Services. I have already got my 10 points on Brendan bingo, so you do not have to give the same speech. In the wake of the results of the Waldorf Apartments development, which sent several business to the wall, is the Minister aware that some retailers trading in the City Market in Civic have not been able to renew their leases pending the result of redevelopment plans? Will the Minister act to ensure that established retailers are not disadvantaged by this redevelopment?

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, it has not been brought to my attention that retailers in the City Market have been disadvantaged. I would be interested in more information and would take on board anything Mr Quinlan has to offer.

MR QUINLAN: I ask a supplementary question. Would the Minister also take on notice that the retailers affected by the redevelopment would like assurances that they can continue trading in some form during that redevelopment?

MR SMYTH: The commercial relationship between any tenant and the holder of the property is not something that I genuinely believe is for the Government. There is legislation that condones and governs the activity between a landlord and his lessee. If something untoward is being done, I am sure the Government would like it brought to its attention. I am not aware of what Mr Quinlan is speaking of. When you are approaching any redevelopment, of course there is some angst amongst the leaseholders. But if you have specific things that you think are in violation of any legislation, I would be very pleased if you brought them to my attention.

MR KAINE: Mr Speaker, my question, through you, is to Mr Stefaniak, Minister for Education. This must be a first. Minister, my question flows from the article in the Canberra Times on 22 March entitled "Computing test stumps Year 10s". I thought that that article highlighted somewhat the sorry condition of contemporary education standards. It points a figure of accusation at the teachers for their failure to inculcate in students the ability to conceptualise, to synthesise the information given and to inquire where it leads and also points the finger at the people who set the test for failing to understand the level of comprehension of students, who seem to have been short-changed by the system somewhat. Although they are pretty serious matters, they are not the basis of the question I want to ask you. My question is this: When most of

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