Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 5 Hansard (8 May) . . Page.. 1736 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

$1.082 million. That is $7,000 more than was budgeted for this year, and only $43,000 less than the anticipated outcome this year for 14 programs, not 10.

Mr Speaker, that is another classic example of paying for more and getting less. It is an indictment on this government because it prides itself on early intervention and crime prevention. It talks loudly and tries to make a lot of it but, when it comes to the crunch, there is very little action.

There are good initiatives in this portfolio. The Belconnen Joint Emergency Services Centre is something we started, but it is good to see that being funded. It is pleasing to see the $823,000 for equipment for the West Belconnen Joint Emergency Services Centre. Those are good initiatives. When one looks at some of the other areas, again they are fairly light-on and there are worrying signs. I highlight specifically those two programs with which I personally have significant problems.

Turning now to the arts portfolio, in this area also there are projects being funded. We see the recurrent theme in this budget of an incredible slowness in getting these projects happening. that is fairly predictable in relation to all the capital works programs, and some of the other programs. It is good to see the Link going ahead.

A matter I can recall us dealing with in cabinet some time ago is the Duntroon dairy project. it finally gets $50,000-it is going to happen.

Regarding the Glass Works-another of our initiations-there was money last year for that, of which only about $300,000 was spent. That money is being reused. Hopefully $2.5 million or thereabouts next year will finish the project.

There are a number of good programs there but, again, very slow progress is being made in getting them completed. I think one can say that in relation to a number of programs.

Much has been made in recent times of the need for an arts centre in Belconnen. Belconnen is not well served in that area compared with others-in respect of the current expenditure, which is some $57,000, as opposed to, for example, $177,000 in Tuggeranong. It does not have a dedicated centre. I would have thought something might have been done.

I could not find anything at all about that in the budget papers. Nevertheless, I think I recall something in the minister's press release suggesting the spending of a teeny-weeny $60,000 to start looking at the possibility of a centre somewhere in Gungahlin, Belconnen or North Canberra-and that is about it. I suppose one can be thankful for small mercies. That is something, but again another potential initiative that is simply not there.

In the area of sport and recreation, I am pleased to see a continuation of the ongoing program for sportsground and sports lighting improvements. The minister has tacked something in there in relation to pools, and $1 million is a reasonable figure for that. I was administering that program for a number of years and I have no quibble in relation to that.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .