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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (24 June) . . Page.. 1962 ..

Mr Berry: On a point of order: This Minister is making a joke out of the standing orders. It is very clear from standing order 118 that the answer to a question without notice shall be concise and confined to the subject matter of the question. The subject matter of the question, clearly, in this case was whether there would be repercussions for organisations such as the Royal Life Saving Society that wish to run learn-to-swim classes at the centre and will be in competition with Leisure Australia, and whether he would table a copy of the contract. They are two pretty simple questions. Perhaps the Minister could confine his attention to those matters, which are the subject of the question.

MR SPEAKER: There is no point of order. In any case, I cannot hear what the Minister is saying because of the interjections.

MR STEFANIAK: Mr Speaker, in terms of the Royal Life Saving Society using the Tuggeranong pool, since March 1997 Leisure Australia has written to Royal Life on four separate occasions to ensure that arrangements were proceeding smoothly, so I am advised. I am also advised that, although all the space at times required by Royal Life may not be available, Leisure Australia has made an effort to accommodate Royal Life. I understand that the pool will be used by Royal Life at various times - even into next year, from what I can gather, Mr Speaker. I have had some recent discussions with Royal Life in relation to that and also, as I indicated earlier, it has been charged the approved fees for non-commercial users. In relation to Ms Fereday, I understand that the state of play there is that she may still be using the Erindale Leisure Centre. Also, I think, the managers of the Tuggeranong indoor pool are happy to talk to her and see whether some mutually convenient arrangement can be made. So, I do not even think that avenue is necessarily shut off, Mr Wood. But the Government makes no bones about the fact that we need to run our pools as efficiently and effectively as possible. I am also pleased to see that all the indications to date, since we have taken the step of contracting out the management, are that attendances are up and generally people's usage of the pools is very satisfactory indeed.

MR WOOD: I notice that the Minister said that there has been nothing concluded, if I heard him correctly. So, we will see what transpires and whether there are different rules for different people.

MR SPEAKER: Are you asking a supplementary question or making a statement?

MR WOOD: Can I ask a supplementary question now, Mr Speaker? Thank you, Mr Speaker. A large number of complaints have been made about the Tuggeranong pool and the associated facilities - the gym and the like - that costs to patrons have increased markedly and services have been reduced. Is this what you mean by "efficiently and effectively run"? Minister, how are you protecting the public interest in this instance?

MR STEFANIAK: I think, if you have a look at costs, Mr Wood, you will find that the costs we charge for our pools are very competitive with those of centres elsewhere. They are very similar. In fact, it is cheaper, for example, than at the Whitlam Centre in Western Sydney and a number of other centres. I think, Mr Wood, even when you were in government, you people would have put up pool costs on occasions. That is something that occurs. But it is pointless putting up pool costs or costs to any facility by too much, because it is counterproductive. That is just part of good management.

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