Page 1141 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 30 March 2011
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the Chief Minister does not have the courtesy to write back so that I might inform my constituents of the outcome of my inquiries on their behalf. It is unfortunate, and I look forward to getting an answer and a reason perhaps. Here is the Chief Minister. Perhaps he could tell us now. It is very pleasing that the Chief Minister has come in.
The waterskiing community is not very big but it is a very active community in the ACT, and they are limited by the space that they have on Molonglo Reach. It would be interesting to see if the Chief Minister has a recollection of whether or not he has signed the letter and to hear whether or not something can be done for the community. There is still a month or so to go, and it would be nice to at least give them some activity. The problem for us is if they do not ski here they will drive their cars down to the coast or to other places like Burrinjuck and do their skiing there. That money is not then in the ACT economy, which is most unfortunate.
On two other areas of interest, I would like to mention the Raize the Roof Ball. Raize the Roof is an organisation of just two young Canberrans and their friends who are endeavouring to raise enough money for activities in the ACT in the area of child welfare, as well as setting up an orphanage in Botswana, of all places. The two young people who set it up, the Dal Cortivos, actually live next door to His Excellency the High Commissioner of Botswana and, having had conversations with them and now having been to Botswana themselves, and South Africa, they understand the plight of many of the children there that are orphaned, and I would commend them.
They had a ball earlier this year. It was reasonably well attended. I think I was the only politician from the Assembly. Indeed, they announced that Ms Burch was to be on the head table, but unfortunately Ms Burch did not make the night, which was a shame because the seat next to the high commissioner remained empty all night. It is important when we support these charities that they do get the full support of the Assembly. It is unfortunate when there are empty seats at tables.
A couple of days after that, another worthwhile charitable event, fundraising event, was held, and that was the OzHarvest trivia night. I know Mrs Dunne has spoken about this. She likes a good trivia night, and I indeed shared the table with Mrs Dunne and other members of the Liberal Party. Indeed, I welcome some members of the party here this evening from the Gungahlin branch. You are more than welcome to your Assembly. It is good to see you here.
The trivia night was to raise funds for the notable charity OzHarvest. OzHarvest, for those that do not know about it, redistributes food that might otherwise end up at the tip. Again, Ms Burch was announced as being on the head table, but unfortunately for all of us we again missed out on Ms Burch’s company. It is unfortunate when charities believe they have a minister attending and the minister does not turn up. Things crop up, but I see a pattern here. I have been to a number of functions where Ms Burch does not turn up, even though she is expected and it is within her portfolio responsibilities.
It was a great night—very interesting trivia. It was the most specialised trivia night I have ever been to. All of the questions were about food—the production of food, types of food, sorts of food. It was pleasing. The Liberal Party table was in front of
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