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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 4 Hansard (3 April) . . Page.. 1342 ..

MR STANHOPE: On the point of order, Mr Speaker: let me say that the propensity that I referred to was a propensity of the Liberal Party's. We had a Privileges Committee inquiry into the Liberal Party's propensity to read other people's mail. We can invite Mr Wood to speak to the point of order on the reading of his mail that was undertaken by the Liberal Party. The Liberal Party has a propensity to read other people's mail. We had to have a Privileges Committee inquiry into that propensity, with very damning findings. We do regret at the time that no members of the Assembly had the courage or the integrity of Mr Cornwell's staff, now abandoned by the Liberal Party.

Mr Speaker, I do withdraw. I withdraw the suggestion that it was made of Mr Cornwell personally, but it certainly was made of the entire Liberal Party.

Griffin Centre

MR HARGREAVES: My question is to the Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services. Community organisations make a vital contribution to the life of our community, and the provision of appropriate support for these organisations is an important role for government. One of the most important kinds of support government can give to community organisations is to ensure that they have access to suitable accommodation, and in Canberra the Griffin Centre has been the most important of such community facilities. Can the minister give the Assembly a progress report on the redevelopment of the Griffin Centre?

MR WOOD: I would like to carry on that debate about the reading of my mail, but I doubt that you will let me. So I will respond to Mr Hargreaves.

Mrs Cross: You can always seek leave, Bill!

MR WOOD: I might seek leave another day, Mrs Cross. Yes, Mr Hargreaves, we all share your views on the importance of the high quality community facilities that are in our community, and the new Griffin Centre is very much part of that. It is being provided as part of the Queensland Investment Corporation's redevelopment of section 84. Let me acknowledge that this arrangement was signed as part of the deed of agreement between QIC and the previous government-I do not know which minister had his signature on it-in December 2000.

The proposed new building design will be a substantial improvement on the existing facilities in terms of functionality, accessibility and building quality. It will have more useable meeting and community rooms, new, modern furniture and such facilities as provision for computer and video outlets. The building will also be provided with electronic security to offer a safe environment.

In response to community consultation, $1.7 million extra was provided in the 2001-02 budget to provide additional space and fit-out. The total useable area within the building will increase by 20 per cent, from 3,105 square metres to 3,727 square metres. It will be a four-storey building instead of the current two storeys.

The real point of your question, Mr Hargreaves, is that the design and construction program has now been agreed. Design commenced in late January 2003, with completion

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