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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 7 Hansard (30 June) . . Page.. 1849 ..

MR HIRD (continuing):

WT Partnership, the cost controllers for the Bruce project, have provided us with some very interesting examples. On construction costs alone, the redevelopment of Bruce Stadium cost about $1,384 per seat. Compare that with the refurbishment of the Gabba ground in Brisbane, which cost around $2,900 per seat, or the new southern stand at the MCG in Melbourne, also costing $2,900 per seat. In other words, they were more than double the cost of the Bruce project. When you look at the two new stadiums in Sydney and Melbourne, Stadium Australia and Docklands Stadium, both are costing around $4,000 per seat to be constructed. Mr Speaker, the WT Partnership report demonstrates beyond any shadow of doubt that the Bruce Stadium redevelopment is the most cost-effective project of its type in the country at this time.

I come back to what Labor has said about the stadium - that it is a fiasco or a scandal. (Extension of time granted) Tell that to Peter Beattie, the Premier of Queensland, about the Gabba in Brisbane. Quite clearly, Mr Speaker, this project was not a scandal. It was not a fiasco. It was another example of this Government getting on with the job of creating a facility that will benefit Canberra and the region for decades to come. It was another example of this Government seizing an opportunity that Labor was incapable of recognising, and delivering on a project that we should all be proud of. Again, do not take my word for it, Mr Speaker; just ask the thousands of Canberrans and other residents within the region who go out there on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays to see their favourite teams. This weekend you will be able to see the Brumbies and the Raiders. Ask any commentator who has called a game from Bruce in the last three months. They do not use words like "scandal" or "fiasco". They use words and phrases like "sensational", "fantastic", "long overdue", "best in the country" and so on to describe the new Bruce Stadium.

This Government has apologised for the mistake it made in relation to some of the administrative aspects of the financing of the redevelopment, but it will not and should not apologise for having the foresight to press ahead with this project, despite all the criticism and all the whingeing from those opposite. I am delighted to see a few of them come back into the chamber. The very thing that we are all talking about today, the stadium that sits out there at Bruce, is a world-class facility that is adding value to this community and the surrounding area.

Ms Carnell: It is a good investment.

MR HIRD: It is a good investment, Chief Minister. If it had been up to Labor - - -

Mr Corbell: It is an illegal investment.

MR HIRD: Listen, Mr Corbell. You might learn something. If it had been up to Labor we probably would not have ever had this debate because there would not have been a Bruce Stadium to talk about, not one of the calibre we have today. Mr Speaker, I also want to say a few things, sadly, as it hurts me, about Mr Kaine's performance in the house today.

Mr Quinlan: You're not going to get personal.

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