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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 5 Hansard (7 May) . . Page.. 1227 ..

MR QUINLAN: Mr Stefaniak, in the interests of absolute accuracy, I will have the numbers checked for you.

MR STEFANIAK: I have a supplementary question. Treasurer, are you able to assure the Assembly that, in future, such important consultation documents will contain correct and accurate information?

MR QUINLAN: That has to be another no, just in case, Bill, doesn't it? I do not want to die, in two years, on another typo, do I?

Rugby world cup

MR PRATT: My question is to Mr Quinlan, as Treasurer and minister for sport. I think, in this place and throughout the community, that we are all absolutely delighted that Australia will host the 2003 rugby world cup, and that at least four of the matches will be played here in Canberra. There is not much time to prepare for the cup series.

Given that, Minister, if the Gungahlin Drive western route option is to proceed as the government has continued to indicate, can you build the western route road, and the associated works, around the fringes of Canberra Stadium, in time for the world cup? Minister, how will you avoid disrupting the world cup commitments that Canberra now has; where and how do you intend to locate the displaced car parks; and what plans do you have for spectator movement to the stadium across the western route drive?

MR CORBELL: As minister responsible for the Gungahlin Drive extension, I am happy to answer Mr Pratt's question. The government has been in close consultation with the ACT Rugby Union on this issue. I have met with Mr Mark Sinderberry and Mr Jim Ferguson about the matter. I have assured them that we will be doing absolutely everything possible to ensure that there is no disruption to any games hosted by Canberra Stadium, if games do come to Canberra as part of the world cup. I certainly look forward to a very positive program of events at Canberra Stadium for the world cup, and we are working closely with the ACT Rugby Union to ensure that disruption is avoided.

Issues related to parking are currently under consideration, as part of detailed design work currently under way for that alignment. Once those studies and engineering designs have been completed, the government will be making a statement on the matter, outlining the issues and its proposals, and there will be opportunity for public comment and comment by affected stakeholders, including the ACT Rugby Union.

MR PRATT: Mr Corbell, given the widespread concerns in the community, can you guarantee that there will be no disruptions caused by the western route option to this very important sporting event?

MR CORBELL: I can guarantee that there will be no threat to the viability of world cup games here in Canberra.

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