Page 277 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 31 May 1989
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this. It is located within a short plane, train, bus or car ride of the major population centre and international gateway to Australia.
The soon to be opened National Convention Centre, when properly marketed as part of a coordinated approach, provides a major potential for return business. A higher than average percentage of business visitors - 20 per cent - over the national average of 15 per cent is something on which we must also concentrate.
The large number of national buildings and monuments, to which I have already alluded by saying that this is the national capital, also make this city unique in Australia. Finally, Mr Speaker, the beautifully planned vistas and other natural features make our environment also unique to Australia.
I could go on, but I think that those points should get the message across. The challenge to the Government and the industry is to realise that a fragmented approach is not in the interests of the industry as a whole and individual businesses in particular.
To this group I must add those responsible for the Federal purse strings, across the lake, who must take a role in ensuring that these national facilities that the people come to see are suitably funded and managed. It was interesting to see how some of the Federal members of the Government of a similar persuasion to the minority one opposite us sought to shift the burden on to the taxpayers of Canberra.
To his credit, our previous Minister, Mr Holding, was at least prepared to remind his fellow travellers of the folly of such proposals. However, I note that the convention centre has been built on what is designated as Federal land and that this is to be handed to the Commonwealth when it is completed. Maybe that is a good omen for its success because they decided to get on to the band wagon early in the piece.
It was of some regret to me personally, Mr Speaker, that the decision to defer the National Museum of Australia was taken. I also note that this decision has recently forced the resignation of an enthusiastic director in this important project. I trust that this project will not be further delayed so that we are still not waiting in 2001 when we celebrate 200 years of federalism. Only a prior arrangement stopped me from joining the many thousands who visited the site to become Friends of the Museum. I welcome the commitment by the Government to the early commencement of that particular project.
The Rally also believes that a visit to Canberra should be on the agenda for every school child. To this end, the Rally would recommend to the ACT Government that it immediately open discussions with the Federal Government to
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