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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 2 Hansard (27 February) . . Page.. 336 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

corporation-the National Multicultural Festival and Floriade-are based in or around the city and that both these events incorporate members of small organisations, artists and community groups who may find the time and the expense of regular meetings at the airport difficult, how does this meet the interests of small organisations such as arts, community and cultural groups and so assist in the further development of the festival and Floriade?

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, the Canberra Tourism and Events Corporation will move to their new premises when their current lease expires in April 2001. The relocation was necessary due to the need for additional office space.

A comprehensive tender and evaluation process was commenced in May last year. Recommendations from a property consultant concluded there were five properties that were suitable out of the 23 that had expressed interest. The short list was then evaluated and the property at the new facility at the airport was chosen as the one that met the need of CTEC.

MS TUCKER: I have a supplementary question. That question was not answered. The managing director of Canberra International Airport is on the board of CTEC, as you know. Given that this move gives the impression that CTEC is favouring the airport, can you explain why CTEC made this decision? You did not do that then. I would like to see the criteria that were used to determine that the airport was, in fact, the preferable site, particularly in light of the questions that I asked initially. If you don't know that, can you find out and please bring it back to the Assembly?

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, CTEC, the Canberra Tourism and Events Corporation, is a corporation established in its own right. The CTEC board set up a subcommittee to examine all aspects of the tender, and that included things like financial considerations. As well, the views of staff and management were sought through the process. The subcommittee then assessed what was put to them by the consultant and concluded that the best venue, the best option for them, was to go to Brindabella Park at the airport.

It is curious that we do have competing interests. Yes, the government is committed to making sure that Civic remains viable. At the same time, that is not to the detriment of the town centres or a developing area like the airport. The international airport is a very important feature, and will be a very important part, of the tourism future of this city, and it is worthy of government support.

The CTEC board has made this decision. I believe they have gone through a proper process, and CTEC will move to the airport in April this year.

School rooms-cooling

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, my question is the Minister for Education. My question comes in the wake of much meandering and waffling, and twisting and turning, about who should be supplying infrastructure in which our children are educated. It comes also in the wake of the minister's very thin attempts to ditch responsibility for the provision of infrastructure which it provides for a safe place for children to be educated in. It also comes in the wake of this minister's attempt to shift the responsibility for the failure of the government to provide adequate cooling in schools to the schools themselves.

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