Page 3034 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 17 October 2007
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tender process whilst we sought to establish a long-term secure management framework or arrangement for the Albert Hall.
The decision that Mr Hargreaves announced within the last week was that at the conclusion of that particular extension on 30 November—that is, from 1 December 2007—the government, through the property group, will accept responsibility for the management of the Albert Hall. We are, of course, in discussion. The Chief Minister’s Department, the heritage unit and territory and municipal services are involved in giving consideration to the process that should now apply to determine a long-term management arrangement for the Albert Hall.
The property group within Mr Hargreaves’s department is developing the processes and the procedures that will apply during its stewardship of the management of the Albert Hall. Indeed, we are working with Mr McLachlan to ensure that there will be a seamless transfer of responsibility between Mr McLachlan and Territory and Municipal Services in relation to the management by the government of the Albert Hall.
Those arrangements, as I say, are currently being developed. I must say that I have not discussed with Mr Hargreaves the arrangements that TAMS may have in place for consulting on those arrangements. That is something that I would have to take up with him. But I guess the fundamental position at this stage and some of the certainty that the Friends of the Albert Hall and other users of the Albert Hall have been looking for is a certainty that events that they wish to pursue post 1 December can be made. Bookings will be taken and at this stage bookings should, until formal arrangements are formalised, be pursued through Canberra Connect.
Those are the interim arrangements. We are working towards a long-term management structure involving the Department of Territory and Municipal Services as the manager, and we are putting in place a process for determining an appropriate long-term management structure for the ACT.
I think it needs to be said, Dr Foskey, that we have accepted, rightly, responsibility for the management of the Albert Hall post 30 November, but we have not at this stage suggested that that will be a long-term or permanent arrangement. We have not abandoned the possibility that other management arrangements will be decided upon. But if they are—and I say if—it will only be through a very open, transparent and consultative process.
Health—oral and maxillofacial surgery
MRS DUNNE: My question is to the Acting Minister for Health. Minister, in December 2005 an expert review team reported to ACT Health on the provision of maxillofacial and plastic and reconstructive services by ACT Health. You have just said that you received that report in January 2006. In that report the review concluded:
If high standards of health care are to be delivered in the ACT and Capital Region, it is both urgent and essential to re-establish the proper direction and balance of service commitments in the specialties of oral and maxillofacial surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery.
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