Page 1247 - Week 04 - Thursday, 21 March 2013
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ongoing basis and specific matters. We have the seniors clubs around town, which are excellent advocates for their communities. So there is a range of mechanisms there. I am certainly committed to having a very strong dialogue with each of those groups, as well as just the informal dialogue. Some of our older citizens are perhaps the most prolific when it comes to contacting ministers’ offices via email or by phone. So I think they are also very good at putting their own cases forward.
Sport—ground hire fees
MR DOSZPOT: My question is to the Minister for Sport and Recreation. Minister, in the last sitting of the Assembly, in speaking to a motion concerning increases in ground hire charges, you advised:
Sport and Recreation Services may have notified some clubs that they anticipate an increase but this has not been approved by me as minister, and I am yet to consider any increases.
Minister, given that clubs have already had to submit bookings under the new hire charges, have you considered these increases, and when will you be announcing your decision? If you have not approved the increases, who did?
MR BARR: Yes, I am presently determining my position in relation to fees for winter and summer seasons in 2013, and I will make that announcement in due course.
Mr Doszpot: On a point of order, Madam Acting Speaker, there was a further question there about who made the decision if the minister did not.
MADAM ACTING SPEAKER: I think the minister has said that he is about to make an announcement, Mr Doszpot, so I think he has answered the question. Have you a supplementary question, Mr Doszpot?
MR DOSZPOT: Can I just get notice on that? So the minister is refusing to answer that question?
MADAM ACTING SPEAKER: Ask your supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: I want to ask something else. Can you explain on what basis Sport and Recreation Services would choose to increase some fees by as much as 54 per cent, which is way outside any CPI increase?
MR BARR: Firstly, Madam Acting Speaker, I remind the shadow minister that CPI is not used to index sport and recreation fees. He has been in the—
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM ACTING SPEAKER: If you listen you will probably find out. You certainly will not find out—
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