Page 2846 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 5 August 2008
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MR STANHOPE: Just listen to this. We promised in writing, publicly—and distributed it with our formal record—to “reserve a site for a pool in Gungahlin for development when the population reaches the appropriate size”. Early in 2005, indeed, after the election, Mr Seselja asked Mr Corbell a question in relation to this. Mr Seselja, in his question, said:
My question is to the Minister for Planning. I refer to the Gungahlin swimming pool, which has been identified for a site at Higgerson Street in the Gungahlin town centre. Minister, during the last election campaign, your party’s sport and recreation policy stated—
in relation to the Gungahlin pool—
a site has been identified and planning is … under way for an indoor recreation facility for Gungahlin.
A site has been reserved.
Mr Seselja: Planning “is underway”.
MR STANHOPE: They were your words. “A site is underway and planning has commenced.” And planning had commenced. As Mr Corbell said in his answer, the planning—indeed, the site selection and planning—was ensuing. Mr Corbell said:
The provision of indoor recreation facilities is important for the Gungahlin region. That is why the government has committed to the progressing of the necessary planning work and land release work that are needed to ensure that the site is made available for a private sector operator … and other facilities.
At no suggestion before, or indeed in the year after the election, has the government ever said or promised in the context of the last election that it would build a pool.
Mr Smyth: So you never intended—
MR STANHOPE: The question is based on a false premise, a false understanding—
Mr Smyth interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Smyth!
Mrs Burke: A knee-jerk reaction.
MR STANHOPE: and in fact repeats statements that were made yesterday by the Leader of the Opposition that are simply not true.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR STANHOPE: The policy is quite clear. It is written and was distributed. The policy was: “The Australian Labor Party, if re-elected, will reserve a site for a pool in Gungahlin for development when the population reaches the appropriate size.” Where,
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