Page 2674 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 10 August 2016

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The amendment Ms Berry moved is basically just a veneer on trying to put the government propaganda out there in all of the notes. It addresses what the government says they are doing and calls on the government—on themselves—to continue to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the current approach to sports ground bookings and maintenance. It is not to look at the current booking issues and not to look at what people associated with the sports grounds are telling the minister but just to continue to do what they are doing at the moment. Until you recognise, minister, that there is a problem in the community, you will not be able to fix it let alone continue to do what you do. If you do what you do, you will always do what you do and you will not address the issues the community wants you to.

My motion has highlighted, yet again, the costs and the condition of the ACT sports grounds. I am calling on this government—again—to address the deteriorating conditions of a number of our local ovals. By the way, that means I will not support Ms Berry’s amendments. I am calling on the government to address the deteriorating conditions of a number of our local ovals, work with local sporting clubs to better understand their needs, including the timing of ground shut downs and condition of playing surfaces, and commit to delivering real support to local clubs and local teams.

But all of this is rather academic at this stage. This government has had 15 years to address all of the issues we have spoken about that are now escalating exponentially, just like the rates they have imposed on our community. With the election just a couple of months away, the arrogance of this Chief Minister, the lack of experience and judgement of his ministers, and their single-minded focus on the light rail has blinded them to the real needs of our community, be it in sport, health, education or cost of living. Roll on, 15 October.

Question put:

That Ms Berry’s amendment be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

Motion, as amended, agreed to.

At approximately 6 pm, in accordance with standing order 34, the motion for the adjournment of the Assembly was put and negatived.

Sitting suspended from 5.58 to 7.31 pm.

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