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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2182 ..

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, Ms McRae said that she wanted us to prove it. How about I quote Mr Wood in April last year in this Assembly, when he said:

Very little that is constructive can be said about that trip.

Then I had a flick through the hysterical media releases from Mr Berry and other members of the Opposition, which were full of words such as "junket", "taxpayer-funded holiday", "waste of time and money", and "a frolic in South America".

Mr Berry: Spot on.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Berry said, "Spot on".

Mr Berry: Yes, we got the futsal slab. What a great achievement!

MR SPEAKER: Order! Silence!

MRS CARNELL: That shows you specifically, Mr Speaker. All I can say is: What a joke, Mr Speaker! Those opposite are simply a joke. Mr Speaker, perhaps the best way to respond to those claims is to recall the remarks of one senior sporting official who was at the teleconference a couple of weeks ago. He said, "Gee, the Labor Party is going to look pretty bloody stupid right now, after everything they said about your trip". I could not agree more, Mr Speaker.

To be fair, I must say at this point that I was not criticised for my trip by Mr Moore, Mr Osborne or the Greens. They understood, Mr Speaker, that you do have to get out there if you are going to win this sort of business. We have achieved significant spin-off benefits in respect of the Olympics from that trip as well by getting out there and having a go.

Mr Berry: We got a futsal slab. What a great deal!

MRS CARNELL: I think the futsal slab is a great deal, Mr Speaker. What if by some misfortune the ALP is in government when the Olympics take place - a thing that all of us have to dread? Just imagine that they are in government when the Olympics take place. You can just see them out there at the new upgraded Bruce Stadium that they have knocked the whole time. They have been really negative about the upgrade of Bruce Stadium, which is required, Mr Speaker, for us to become an Olympic city. Can you see them out there at the new upgraded Bruce Stadium greeting the Olympic team onto the field? I think they should be far too embarrassed to do that, and I am sure that Canberra will make sure they do not get a chance.

I am quite sure that the ALP will jump onto the Olympic bandwagon when it suits them, Mr Speaker. I just wish it would be soon. The people of Canberra, the sporting community and local businesses know exactly who has been out there promoting this city and they have not forgotten what Labor has been saying. Who secured the Brazilian Olympic team? This Government. Who bagged us? The Labor Party. Who secured Olympic soccer for Canberra? This Government. Who bagged it? The Labor Party.

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