Page 2929 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 29 June 2011
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We have had Mr Corbell, when it comes to community legal centres, make a number of comments and quotes which could equally apply to the Canberra Raiders. For example, he said in estimates for Justice and Community Safety:
… we would make the observation also that community legal centres are independent entities with their own boards that make their own decisions about what staffing they take on and how they accommodate those staff.
Presumably the Canberra Raiders are a similar type of entity. He went on to say:
A community legal centre is not a public service agency; it is a private not-for-profit organisation—
as are presumably the Canberra Raiders.
I make these observations, as I say, not to particularly protect the Canberra Raiders but rather to seek some clarity around and some consistency in the government’s approach to how we assist community organisations, whatever field they are in, with their accommodation needs. This is an issue that I have explored in some depth. Mr Doszpot brought it up again during question time today and highlighted the problems of, for example, the community legal centres—the Women’s Legal Centre was a specific one—and the difficulties they are facing.
Another issue for me came out of asking questions around rent, issues around hiring the Canberra Stadium and how Territory Venues and Events operate those agreements. Some of the answers I was given indicated that I could not have that data because it is commercial-in-confidence. So be it, but I was interested to note that when it comes to ticket prices for the NRL, for example, for a family of four to go and see a game of Rugby League, it is $80 for the Raiders at Canberra Stadium, it is $70 for the Broncos at Suncorp and it is just $40 for the Bulldogs at Homebush stadium.
Now jokes aside about the relative merits of those teams, I do find a great diversity in prices, and I am intrigued as to why it is so expensive for a Canberra family to go and see the Raiders when a family from Bankstown going to see the Bulldogs can get admission to see that game for rather less. I am interested in the government’s take on that issue as the owner of Canberra Stadium—whether it is an issue to do with the stadium hire cost structure or whether it is an issue that the Raiders are perhaps more responsible for.
So a few issues are raised there—ones that we will continue to pursue over time.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Education and Training and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation) (10.10): To close debate on this section of the budget, I would like to thank all members for their contributions. The Economic Development Directorate is obviously a new directorate pulling together a number of important areas within ACT government. I certainly appreciate the variety of feedback that we have received tonight on the budget. I do not agree with all of it, but I do note the passion and desire for a better economic outcome for the people of Canberra that is evident in everyone’s contribution. So I can start on a positive note by thanking members in that context.
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