Page 1751 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 17 October 1989
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In closing my remarks on the statement by the Chief Minister I take this opportunity to refer to the need for the ACT Government, whoever that might be, to get the best possible deal from the Commonwealth. Anything less is an abrogation of our responsibilities to the people of the ACT. It is time, Mr Speaker, I would suggest, for the ACT Government, and particularly the Chief Minister, to start flexing the muscles of the ACT and learning from some of the States in the negotiating process and to start making a few demands.
The time for going cap in hand to the Commonwealth, I suggest, is long past. By way of example, I would suggest that, in relation to the $67m that the Commonwealth is seeking from us for land previously developed by the Commonwealth, the time has come for us to decide how much we reckon that block of land is worth; that we give it the cheque, and it can take it from there. The time for hard bargaining, Mr Speaker, has arrived, and it is time for the people and the Government of the ACT to ensure that in those forums we provide for the residents and taxpayers of the ACT the best possible deal from the Commonwealth. The Rally will certainly be seeking to do that.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
DRUGS IN SPORT - GOVERNMENT POLICY
Ministerial Statement and Paper
Debate resumed from 27 September, on motion by Mr Whalan:
That the Assembly takes note of the following paper:
Drugs in Sport - Government policy - Ministerial statement, 27 September 1989.
MR STEFANIAK (4.32): I read with interest the statement made on the last occasion by the Minister for sport. There is much in it which is commendable. Indeed the practice which has developed - probably to an extent it has always been in sport, but it seems to have developed to a much greater degree in recent years - of enhancing one's performance through the taking of drugs is quite reprehensible and goes against the very ethos of what sport of any variety is all about.
We have had instances - and I think one was referred to in the paper - such as that of drugs being taken by Ben Johnson in the 100 metres race. He won a great victory for himself and for his country, Canada, only to have the humiliation of the medal being taken away because he was doped to make himself go better. I think that brought that sport and the Olympic Games generally into disrepute.
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