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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 6 Hansard (18 June) . . Page.. 1783 ..

Ms Tucker: How can you find a solution if you did not even talk to the Cultural Council when you developed the authority?

MR SPEAKER: Order, Ms Tucker! We have finished that. You have spoken already. We do not want to be here all night on a dialogue. If you want that, go upstairs.

MR HUMPHRIES: We were not attempting to solve that problem in this exercise; we were trying to solve the problem on the other side of that fence - on the side of the fence dealing with cultural assets, Ms Tucker.

Mr Berry: Put him in your appointment book and take him upstairs and have a chat with him.

MR HUMPHRIES: It might be a good idea. Come upstairs afterwards and we will have a drink.

Mr Berry: Are you paying? Is it your shout? We will all come if you are shouting. Old short arms and deep pockets!

MR HUMPHRIES: You are not invited, Mr Berry - although you could do with a drink today. I acknowledge that. I will send a bottle down. A long cold glass of water, perhaps! Yes, indeed!

Mr Speaker, I thank members for their indications of what I think is support for the Bill. I am not sure whether or not it is, but I think it is support in principle for the Bill. I hope we will be able to deliver a good outcome for the people of the ACT from this process. I certainly think members cannot say that the status quo is better than some change. The status quo is not particularly effective. I think the arts play too low a role in the ACT's life, partly because the structures of government are not there to make it play and give it a stronger role. This is an attempt to deal with that. I hope members will see it for what it is and support that process - amend it, perhaps, but support the process - of achieving better outcomes for the arts in the Territory.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Detail Stage

Clause 1

Debate (on motion by Mr Wood) adjourned.

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