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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 8 Hansard (30 August) . . Page.. 2629 ..

MR CORBELL (continuing):

The Labor Party has been consistent in the approach that it has taken in relation to Fairbairn Park and the impact of noise on people at the Ridgeway, across the border in Queanbeyan. I must say in relation to Fairbairn Park and the Ridgeway that I am sure Mr Stefaniak, as the minister for sport, would not be half as virulent if they actually voted in the ACT. Perhaps the convenience of an arbitrary line between Fairbairn Park and the Ridgeway makes all the difference to the level of vitriol that Mr Stefaniak levels in this place at those individuals, but I am sure that members can judge that for themselves.

Mr Speaker, the amendments to be moved by Mr Rugendyke are ones that I will welcome. He recognises that it is not just about drag-racing, but it is also about other motor sport activities that are having detrimental impacts.

Mr Stefaniak: Read my comments about the McKellar sports club, where I was critical of some local residents in my electorate.

MR CORBELL: I do not know where that came from, Mr Speaker. Obviously, I hit a nerve. Mr Rugendyke understands that there are issues such as Summernats that do have impacts on nearby residential areas and that it is simply not tenable for the future as far as we can predict to have that event continuing there if it continues to grow and if it continues to create problems with noise and other issues that are of concern to people in nearby residential areas.

We have to learn and work at new ways of accommodating that sort of event in a way which does not have the impact that increasingly it does on residential areas. At least Mr Rugendyke has brought a sensible approach to this debate and I thank him for his proposals. Certainly, the Labor Party will be quite prepared to support Mr Rugendyke's amendments.

Mr Speaker, the bottom line is that drag-racing is a legitimate sporting activity. I am no revhead but, I recognise that the people who undertake those sorts of activities have the right to undertake them in a safe manner and in a manner which does not impact on other residents of the city in a detrimental way. I have moved this motion to ensure that we have a permanent, safe and suitable venue for drag-racing in the ACT.

I thank those members who have indicated their support and I commend the motion to the Assembly.

Question put:

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