Page 62 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 12 February 2019
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Directorate and the Human Rights Commission to work together to develop a more appropriate response than is currently envisaged in the Children and Young People Act. I await that work to determine whether that would be a separate residential place or whether it is a different form of support.
But, again, I can assure everyone that wraparound 24/7 therapeutic responses are available to support the small number of children and young people with these very complex behaviours to get through this and to go on and live health, happy lives.
Sport—cricket test
MS CHEYNE: My question is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, can you please update the Assembly on the recent international cricket test match played at Manuka Oval?
MR BARR: I thank Ms Cheyne for the question. This was a significant event for Canberra to host. It had been a long-term ambition for Cricket ACT throughout the organisation’s existence and a project that the ACT government had been working closely with Cricket ACT on for more than a decade. After many meetings, negotiations, progressive investments and improvements at Manuka Oval, including the lights, the new media and function centre, complete resurfacing of the venue, and additional seats in place in time for the fixture, Canberra was ready for its international test cricket debut.
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The venue itself shone throughout the match. It was clearly a delight for cricket fans. Importantly the staging of this event provided a significant boost for our local economy. There were international and interstate visitors filling our hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes and, as has been reported in the local media, apparently drinking the Kingston Hotel dry of its beer, which is no mean feat. It was a very well-attended event, with nearly 31,000 through the gates for the 3½ days of the duration of the match. The feedback has been very positive from patrons and from Cricket Australia.
MS CHEYNE: Chief Minister, how was the feedback from patrons and the media on the ground and facilities?
MR BARR: The feedback in relation to the grounds and facilities was very positive. Let me take this opportunity to put on the public record our thanks to Brad van Dam and his team, who curated the venue and the pitch. It was particularly pleasing to see a break in the drought of test match centuries for the Australians and the return to form of Mitchell Starc with two five-wicket hauls in both of the Sri Lankan innings.
The feedback from patrons was very positive. It is a charming boutique cricket venue, supported by pleasant and helpful staff. The quality and price of food and beverage offerings and the ease of ticketing and entry processes certainly received very positive feedback. The media were happy; in fact, delighted. The feedback there was that the facility was the best of its kind in the nation. Its adaptability to be able to be converted into a function centre for year-round use and, indeed, for use during AFL matches, is an important part of its design.
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