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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 14 Hansard (10 December) . . Page.. 5142 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

is that she been there too long; I don't know. Why not give credit to someone who has put in a magnificent effort over many years and has got dozens of people out-not just committee members, but other helpers-to organise some wonderful events that have entertained thousands of Canberrans for well over a decade?

The committee comprises people from all walks of life, from all areas of the political spectrum-Labor, Liberal, Independents and probably others. They have done a very good job and have helped supervise a large number of events-year in, year out-on the day, which have gone incredibly smoothly. The day is traditionally finished off with a big fireworks display and activities at night. Sadly, I went to only one of those events. Having been an active worker-though not as active now as I would like to be-I can vouch for the fact that this event has been well run for many years and has provided entertainment for thousands of Canberrans.

I am a little concerned that this is the start of some problems in the festivals and grants area, because I am starting to get a few complaints about people who are missing out. The minister needs to go back and look at how the criteria are being actioned.

Mr Wood: You can put your whiteboard on your wall, if you want to.

MR STEFANIAK: I am not suggesting a whiteboard. I do not particularly like whiteboards. You need not only criteria but also to keep tabs on exactly how it is all panning out and how people are being assessed. Blind Freddy could tell you that the Australia Day in the park was a very good event. The committee receives no funding now, but last year and the year before it received less funding than it did at its peak.

Mr Wood: That's not what they asked for.

MR STEFANIAK: That is good, Minister! The committee is not asking for it. The year before it asked for $50,000 and received about $42,000, but that is fine. That happens with grant applications. I accept that. I have been a minister responsible for overseeing a large number of grants, and that often happens when a committee who has to assess grants is looking at whether to fund. I have signed off on them. On occasions I would certainly query why certain groups did not get it. Quite often changes would be made as a result of that. I regarded my intervention there as being very important and a responsible thing to do.

As I said, blind Freddy can tell you that this is a very good event. I am utterly amazed that the only excuse seems to be the clash of the concerts, but they are not even on the same day. I suggest to the minister that he should get out the application of the Australia Day in the National Capital Committee and look at what it wants to provide. It is more than just a concert; it is more than just a fireworks display-if that is causing him concern-it is a series of enjoyable events. The committee, obviously, will not now be able to do some of these events.

I am delighted that the committee is still going to go ahead and that the federal government has enough sense to ensure that this group gets funding. Only last year the committee organised a barbecue for all the people involved in the fires, for all the volunteers and for all the victims of the fires. I happily remember cooking sausages and having a great time. A few people who turned up at our Assembly open day availed

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