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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 9 Hansard (5 September) . . Page.. 2872 ..

MR STEFANIAK: Again, we might be talking about different circulars, although the circular I have merely mentions parents being reminded regularly to avoid the bringing of valuable property to school. It does include bicycles, but I think that relates to the fact that there are some bikes which are particularly valuable, being worth many thousands of dollars. Obviously, for many students, bikes are a very real means of conveyance. They are a time-honoured way of kids getting to school, and long may that be so.

Whilst schools cannot be responsible for the acts of third parties who steal, attempt to steal or damage property at a school, I would think that students should be able to ride bikes to school. Unfortunately, parents may have to take some precautions these days if the bikes themselves are very valuable. The circular I have also indicates that, if there are no compounds, bikes should be locked up at all times. When I go round schools I see some with compounds and some without compounds and the bikes are usually tied to bike racks or have secure devices on them at schools where there are no compounds. It is pleasing to see that virtually all parents are providing for that. When I went to school, you could stick your bike in the bike racks there and no-one would steal it. Unfortunately, those days are gone.

Mr Quinlan: They have better bikes now, Bill.

MR STEFANIAK: They might have better bikes. Unfortunately, there are lots of low-life around who stoop to taking kids' bikes, even at the primary school level. Sadly, it is a fact of life these days at school that bikes have to be locked up. That was also a part of that circular. But Mr Osborne should get back to me if he has a circular of a different date.

MR WOOD: Chief Minister, last week you publicly cast doubt on the work of StrathAyr, the company contracted for the first resurfacing of Bruce Stadium.

Ms Carnell: I didn't do it; you did.

MR WOOD: You certainly had some words to say there. You said that the company had not fulfilled its task and the government would not pay up. Instead, you said that payment would be the subject of a negotiated settlement. What process has been put in place to negotiate that settlement and what is the current situation?

MS CARNELL: To my knowledge, we have not paid them. I do not know what process has been put in place. It was a few days ago and I have to say that, right at this moment, we are much more focused on ensuring that the torch relay goes really well over the next couple of days and the Olympic soccer next week goes really well. I am surprised that those opposite are not doing the same.

MR WOOD: That is a misrepresentation of the position, of course. Perhaps the Chief Minister has missed all the angst in the community, the letters in the papers and all of that. Chief Minister, in the likelihood that the government will have to pay for all, or part, of the failed turf, what would be the cost of the replacement?

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