Page 325 - Week 01 - Thursday, 11 February 2010
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MR SMYTH: Minister, when were you informed about the concern that there may or may not have been a link to the insulation and these fires?
MR CORBELL: I was advised, I think, yesterday, but I received confirmation of the detail of the process today.
MR SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne, a supplementary?
MRS DUNNE: Minister, were there any steps taken between the time that the coroner decided to investigate these matters and today to inform the public of the concerns that existed about these fires, and were these concerns transmitted to other commonwealth, state or territory agencies?
MR CORBELL: It would be entirely inappropriate to speculate on the cause of these fires or the reasons for them ahead of the coroner’s process. That is why we have that process. The government will not pre-empt that issue. It is for the coroner to determine the cause of these fires. Obviously the installation of insulation may be a factor in these fires but it would be inappropriate to speculate further and it would certainly be inappropriate to pre-empt findings or take action ahead of the coroner’s findings in relation to the matter.
National Multicultural Festival
MR HARGREAVES: My question is to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Minister, this weekend just passed saw Canberrans come together to celebrate the uniqueness of the ACT’s multiculturalism. What I observed over both days was people celebrating multiculturalism in the absence of most of the Liberal Party. Could you please inform the Assembly of the outcomes of the 2010 Multicultural Festival?
MS BURCH: I thank Mr Hargreaves for his question, and I also thank Mr Hargreaves for his support for the multicultural community. I understand one of the things I did miss out on over the three days was your performance with our Islander colleagues down at the Pacific Islander Showcase.
Mr Hargreaves: Eric Clapton, move over!
MS BURCH: It must have been one of the highlights I missed. Mr Speaker, there is no doubt that the 2010 National Multicultural Festival, staged from Friday through till Sunday evening, was a resounding success. Members would be aware that several key changes were made to the festival in 2010 and these included a reduction in the event from nine days to three days. The footprint of the event was defined from the outset and limited to the central city area. We reconfigured the stalls to allow easier access to retailers in the area. A “face of the festival” was promoted. A charging regime for all stallholders selling food and other items was introduced, and a children’s competition was introduced.
I believe these changes not only contributed to the great success that we had last weekend but also allowed us to engage with children to impart positive messages
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