Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 7 Hansard (4 June) . . Page.. 1868 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

needs of women and women playing sport." It is a great initiative and it should be supported.

I do not support some of the other proposals for amendments. The suggestion that we should hypothecate some community funding just for women's sport should not be supported. The clubs should have the freedom to choose. They are community clubs, they operate under a whole range of rules in relation to their formation-their raison d'être. I do not think it is for us to impose on them some other mandatory requirement in relation to how they conduct themselves. I do not believe they should be directed-particularly in relation to sport. It will then move on to something else. It will hypothecate all over the place. Every member in this place with an issue that they want to see pursued or developed will then be introducing legislation or amendments. It will be hypothecating club expenditure.

Mr Wood: And work against this motion!

MR STANHOPE: It will, all around the joint-precisely. It works against the cultural change we are seeking to adduce through a motion such as this.

I commend the bill as it is. It should not be toyed with. It should not be changed; it should be supported as it is.

The bill does two things. It will generate additional funds for women, for women wishing to play sport, and for sports infrastructure for women. It will force a cultural change in relation to the way we, as a community, think about these issues-and think about issues of plain fairness.

MR QUINLAN (Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Business and Tourism, Minister for Sport, Racing and Gaming and Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Corrections) (4.57), in reply: To close the debate, Mr Speaker, firstly, I repeat my thanks to Ms Dundas, who is going to support the bill. I thank Mrs Cross for the potted history on netball-I found that fascinating.

I am pleased to hear, from Mr Humphries, some perception and understanding of the club industry and its processes. It is a mechanical understanding, I am sure, and not an empathetic understanding, born of limited experience or contribution within the club industry. Nevertheless, you seem to be coming around a bit, Mr Humphries, on exactly where clubs are at.

I can only repeat what has been said. The word "culture" is part of my speech. It shows the perception of Jon Stanhope that he picked that up as a major theme in his speech, because that is what this is about. This legislation is about creating an environment and giving a message without compulsion and without coercion. Most of the clubs in this town do not need coercion.

As some of the speakers in this debate have mentioned, clubs contribute over the odds to the community. I have in front of me the last report that says that the total required contribution by clubs for the last completed year was $5.3 million. They gave $14 million! So it is not about pressing the clubs, it is about the message that is there.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .