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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 6 Hansard (25 May) . . Page.. 1799 ..

MR HUMPHRIES: It has been less than inflation.

Mr Quinlan: In the general government sector?

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, why am I bothering to give them an answer?

MR SPEAKER: Mr Quinlan, you have a speech to make after this. You may not have the opportunity if you keep interjecting.

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, will you require the same discipline of the Chief Minister?

MR SPEAKER: I will expect the same silence when Mr Quinlan, if he gets the chance, makes his speech.

MR HUMPHRIES: I will confirm it, but my understanding is that the growth in outlays in the general government sector has been of the order of 5 per cent and that that is below the rate of inflation during that period. Logically, it has to be below the rate of inflation. Otherwise, the government would not have been able to reduce the operating loss, would it? If we are increasing outlays by more than the rate of inflation, then clearly we have the same capacity to reduce the operating loss the territory has experienced. Of course, we have reduced it. It might be only a $256 million reduction according to Mr Quinlan, but there has been a significant reduction.

MR OSBORNE: My question is to the minister for sport, Mr Stefaniak. Minister, could you tell me what stage negotiations are at between the CIT at Bruce and the Canberra Raiders in relation to the Raiders relocating their headquarters from Rugby League Park to the CIT? I understand that it is all very close. Would you confirm that? Could you tell me when the Raiders will be able to access the ground for training?

MR STEFANIAK: I thank Mr Osborne for the question. I would not be able to give the exact date off the top of my head, Mr Osborne, but it is very close. I understand the necessary legal procedures have been put in train. The CIT is very keen to get it up and running. It will be a great partnership and of great benefit to everyone concerned, especially when the Academy of Sport is also located at the Bruce campus and the CIT run sport and recreation courses from there as well. I do not think the ground is terribly well utilised, Mr Osborne. If the Raiders want to have access to it, I am happy to contact the director and see whether they can have access immediately. It is a good training ground and I do not think too many groups currently use it.

MR OSBORNE: I ask a supplementary question. Thank you for that, Minister. When you contact the director, could you ascertain from him whether the demountables currently being used by the Raiders at Rugby League Park could be used temporarily at the CIT prior to the new facility being built?

MR STEFANIAK: I am happy to see whether that can happen, Mr Osborne. I would hope there would not be too many problems with that.

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