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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 7 Hansard (5 June) . . Page.. 1939 ..

MR CORBELL (continuing):

and Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) clearly outlines obligations in relation to the site, which comprises both sections.

Any changes to the amount of land the territory is prepared to sell have an impact on total revenue, and may affect the $12 million the territory has already received for the holding lease over section 84. This would also certainly jeopardise the provision of the new community facilities.

In addition, if the territory were to unilaterally terminate the agreement already entered into with QIC, QIC could claim for repayment of the price it has paid for the land, that is $12 million with interest, all costs incurred to date and costs committed into the future, and could also seek to claim damages for breach of contract by the territory, including damages relating to loss of future revenue.

I would not hesitate to suggest that any figure produced in these circumstances would be substantial. Mr Speaker, QIC will be building community facilities that provide around 15 per cent more space than the existing facilities in the Griffin Centre.

Unlike the present premises, the new facilities will be modern, efficient, flexible and unburdened by high maintenance costs. Ms Tucker has also raised issues concerning the future of ACT Shelter and the Youth Coalition. Unlike the previous government, this government has given an absolute commitment to ensure that those services are accommodated in the future.

For the reasons that I have just outlined, it is clear that any cost to the territory of withdrawing from this arrangement would be substantial but, that aside, this government strongly supports this significant redevelopment project for the civic centre.

Elder abuse

MS DUNDAS (3.21): I move:

That this Assembly:

(1) recognises that elder abuse is a serious problem confronting the ACT community that is continuously under reported and that older people are some of the most vulnerable in our community and the major determinantal impact elder abuse has on our older citizens, families and the community at large; and

(2) calls on the ACT Government to respond to Report Number 11 by the Standing Committee on Health and Community Care Elder Abuse in the ACT, by the last sitting day in September 2002 and that the Government response be made in accordance with the motion of this Assembly regarding implementation of committee recommendations agreed to on 10 April 2002.

Every day for most of this year we have watched the media report more and more cases of child abuse. But today I wish to bring to the Assembly's attention another form of abuse. I believe it is atrocious-and the similarities do not stop there.

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