Page 1100 - Week 06 - Thursday, 27 July 1989
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I think it is important that before these sorts of issues are put towards a committee the committee should have some indication as to what the Government's position is on a particular proposal like this. I think it is very important that this particular matter be referred. While I take the point that the Chief Minister has made in relation to the timing of this matter, it is unfortunate, when you think about what I was saying yesterday in relation to the casino matter, that there are a number of other areas, a number of other locations, that probably could have been given some consideration.
Now, I know that there was some work done in relation to this particular site, and it was one of the alternatives that was put towards the committee in relation to the development of a casino, but what I am saying is that this particular site has incredible potential, if you like, for the development of employment in the tourist industry in the ACT. It also provides a considerable degree of opportunity for the construction industry.
This particular project has been around now for some time. Certainly the development of the area and some proposals for the development of the area have been around for some time and have got considerable support from no less than the Prime Minister's wife, Mrs Hawke, and also Professor Manning Clark in relation to the sorts of concepts that have been put forward for the use of this site. It is an unfortunate matter, in fact, that this particular issue has continually been deferred by the Government when, as I suggested yesterday, it was too busy concentrating on the pot at the end of the casino rainbow and it is unfortunate - - -
Ms Follett: Now, Norman.
MR JENSEN: The pot at the end of the casino rainbow. Do you have a problem with that, Chief Minister? I would suggest that that is really what it is about. It is unfortunate that - - -
Ms Follett: A pot at the end of the rainbow? We have another one at Kingston.
MR JENSEN: A pot of gold is at the end of the rainbow. I think the Chief Minister knows what I am talking about. It is unfortunate, Mr Speaker, that the Government with its tunnel vision has continued to follow just one line and has not been prepared to look around in other areas and seek to do the same sorts of things that the casino project sought to do.
It is also incredible that the Government has seen fit not to look at other opportunities like this where it may be able to get appropriate premiums that will provide for the development of the cultural facilities in the centre of the city that we all know are very important and critical to this particular city.
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