Page 2618 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 10 August 2016
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Questions without notice
Government—clubs policy
MR HANSON: My question is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, I refer to an article in the CityNews today by the CEO of ClubsACT. Minister, if clubs do close down or become unviable because of your government’s policies will you be taking over the funding of all the community groups that are currently supported by our community clubs?
MR BARR: The question is hypothetical, in the first instance, and the government of course does provide considerable support to community organisations of a magnitude way greater than that provided by clubs.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Chief Minister, if your policies do force clubs to close, will you be employing all the staff who are currently employed by community clubs?
MR BARR: The question is hypothetical. One would anticipate, given the rapid growth in the tourism and hospitality sector in this city where, in the past 12 months, we have seen a near 20 per cent increase in employment, that there will be plenty of additional activity in tourism and hospitality in Canberra, particularly with our record levels of domestic and international tourism and, with the direct international flights starting next month, an expectation of considerable growth in the tourism and hospitality sector in Canberra, and employment will flow from that.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Chief Minister, will the government take over the maintenance of community sporting ovals currently maintained by the clubs?
MR BARR: That is again a hypothetical question and presupposes certain outcomes that I do not think there is any basis in fact to assert.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Chief Minister, will all clubs be granted free lease variations just like the Labor Club in Braddon?
MR BARR: Apparently, that is Liberal Party policy. Whilst it is not the preferred position of the Labor Party, we believe these things should be assessed on the basis of community benefit—
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Wall interjecting—
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