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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 11 Hansard (29 November) . . Page.. 3387 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

I think the way it has panned out-the way the department has done it and the schools are doing it-is actually very good, because it means we are giving parents what they want, with the necessary safeguards.

MR BERRY: My question is directed to the Chief Minister. At the Civic protest rally on 18 November, you gave an assurance that all but two areas of urban open space-Griffith and the Yarralumla brickworks-would be saved from development under your administration. Can you advise whether all work relating to the possible development of those areas of open space other than Griffith and Yarralumla brickworks has ceased?

MR HUMPHRIES: I have made a very clear commitment about designated urban open space under the Territory Plan. I have discussed that with my colleague the Minister for Urban Services, who now has responsibility for both PALM and Asset Management, and I am confident that the understanding of what my position is, and the position that was articulated at that particular public meeting, have been communicated throughout the ACT government.

Mr Berry: So I take that as: "I don't know quite yet." You haven't checked.

MR SPEAKER: Take it as you wish. Just ask your supplementary question please.

MR BERRY: Will you check to make sure that the work has ceased? And, given your commitment, will you advise the Assembly of the cost of resources used in undertaking to this stage the study in relation to urban open space?

MR HUMPHRIES: I do not need to go and check what is going on. My position is very clear. The government's position is very clear. If Mr Berry wants to check, I am sure he can do that himself. As far as the cost is concerned, I do not care what cost has been incurred in the past in respect of this, because the government's position is absolutely clear. I could also ask the question of what cost has been incurred by the Labor Party when it was last in government preparing urban open space for development-

Mr Berry: It was that long ago I don't remember.

MR HUMPHRIES: Well, it would be a very large cost, I imagine. You had big plans, apparently, for urban open space when you were last in government. If you want to go back, the question is how far back do you want to go? I suspect not any further back than 1995.

MR WOOD: There are a few urban myths flying around, which we might deal with another time, Mr Speaker. My question is addressed to Mr Moore, the Minister for Health, Housing and Community Care, and it relates to disability funding. Can he tell me whether it is the case that both the Commonwealth-State Disability Agreement and the bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and the ACT exclude funding for the provision of services with a specialist clinical focus; for example, therapy services?

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