Page 9 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 22 February 1994
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
a significant impact on social justice in particular, or could lead to some very false economies, is extremely limited. So, Madam Speaker, to respond in brief to Ms Szuty's question, the Government is still considering alternatives; but, as I have said all along, we had previously considered all the alternatives and come up with the best one. This Assembly rejected that.
Mr Moore: I take a point of order, Madam Speaker. The Chief Minister is ignoring standing order 52, and really has continued to do so, which requires her not to reflect on a vote of the Assembly.
MADAM SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Ms Follett, have you completed your answer?
MS FOLLETT: Yes, Madam Speaker.
Casino Premium
MR KAINE: Madam Speaker, I address a question to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, in December 1992 the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee recommended to you how the $19m casino premium should be spent. We have just seen some of the results of that in the last few days with the opening of the convention centre at Natex, or Exhibition Park as it is now. In connection with all of that money, can you tell me how much of the $19m was made available to Natex for that purpose? Secondly, how much, if any, has been spent on the other major items, the subject of those recommendations - specifically, the Aboriginal keeping place, the upgrading of the Playhouse Theatre, the cultural and heritage facility in the city centre and the equipment for the community theatre on Childers Street? Finally, how much, if any, of the $2.25m that was recommended for regional community facilities has been disbursed from the trust fund, to whom, and for what purposes?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, I thank Mr Kaine for the question. It is a question on which I will need to consult with other Ministers on some aspects. I will undertake, at the start, to give Mr Kaine a full answer as soon as I have consulted. The break-up of that $19m, as recommended by the PDI Committee, was accepted by the Government. I think it is fair to say that what money from that $19m has not been spent is still available and will be spent in accordance with the PDI Committee's recommendations and in accordance with the Government's response.
To answer at least some of Mr Kaine's questions in more detail, Madam Speaker, I believe that the amount spent from the casino premium on the upgrade of Natex, or EPIC as it is now known, was of the order of $1.5m; but I will get a firm figure on that. In relation to the fit-out of the community theatre, I will have to consult with the Minister on that, Mr Wood. In relation to the Aboriginal keeping place, that matter is still the subject of consultation by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee. I have put the arrangements for that keeping place into the hands of the advisory committee as the organisation best placed to consult widely with the people whose culture will be reflected in that keeping place. Those consultations are continuing. I think it is fair to say that it has been a protracted business. Nevertheless, I have not sought to hasten it in any way. I think that it is not the Government's role unilaterally to decide on that
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .