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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 10 Hansard (29 August) . . Page.. 3040 ..

MR QUINLAN (continuing):

To the best of my knowledge, within the technology park there is some development of computer games, et cetera. There are a lot of people undergoing training in the development of computer games in that academy, which is a positive contribution to Canberra.

I am not sure of the real point of your question. Should we be maximising the rent on it, or should we be giving it over to community organisations for cheaper rent? I am not sure what the driver is. From my perspective, right now, I want to make sure (a) that Canberra Technology Park operates without extensive subsidy, and subsidy over time; and (b) that it is operated to the economic benefit of the territory. If you want to ask me, in the supplementary question, exactly what, then it is likely I will take it on notice and give you a quantified answer.

MS TUCKER: Yes. The point is: it is obviously not just a technology park, because there are community organisations housed there.

So my supplementary question, which I assume you will take on notice, is: could you give the Assembly details of exactly what discount is offered to various organisations, what the market rent is, and also what the current landlord is spending on maintenance of the building; what is the condition of the building, and what maintenance has occurred there?

MR QUINLAN: Yes. I will bring the book along next time.

Disability agreement

MS GALLAGHER: My question is to the Chief Minister representing the minister for disability. What progress is being made in negotiations on the Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement 2002 to 2007?

MR STANHOPE: Thank you very much for the question, Ms Gallagher. It is very important and very timely. Negotiations are continuing between all states and territories and the Commonwealth in order to attempt to finalise the next Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement. In the interim, the Commonwealth has agreed to roll over existing funding arrangements for a period of four months, to allow further negotiations on issues yet to be resolved. The ACT continues to receive funding at 2001-02 levels, including unmet needs funding, during that period.

A letter was received from Senator Vanstone on 8 July 2002, formalising the proposals and conditions she put to all ministers in June 2002. In that letter, Senator Vanstone offered an additional $125 million, to be made available to states and territories over five years, on the condition that jurisdictions match this fourfold.

Reports by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the University of New South Wales social policy research centre show that the level of funding offered by the Commonwealth is not sufficient to meet current and future demand for services, or annual cost increases in the delivery of services.

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