Page 1771 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 2 May 2012
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is a very good report, that it is probably likely that it is a shared view of Ms Porter, but Ms Porter has, for whatever reasons, felt it necessary to demonstrate some independence, probably to fly the government flag.
However, I think that as the Greens and Liberal members see this as the appropriate course forward, I really call on the government to take note of the committee’s recommendations, to step aside from their pride, from any political baggage that they have on this. If decisions were made, have the bravery, have the courage to accept that sometimes mistakes are made and look forward in this matter so that the best decision can be made for the community rather than try to protect decisions that were made by members who, in some cases, are not even in this place any longer to protect egos and potentially to protect people who made decisions without all the information before them.
I commend this report to the Assembly and I certainly urge the government to act on its recommendations.
Motion (by Ms Burch) negatived:
That debate be adjourned.
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (10.30): I welcome the report of the standing committee on the Fitters Workshop. I think that the committee has brought down a much welcomed report for the people of the ACT and for the whole arts community of the ACT. Mr Hanson has spoken at length about the important issues and I would only speak briefly to highlight the level of commitment in the community by a large number of people who are encouraging the government to seriously address the recommendations raised by the standing committee and to implement the recommendations of the standing committee report for the benefit of the entire arts community.
I note that Ms Bresnan made the point, and Mr Hanson also raised the point, that the government have, in a very 11th hour way, been determined to make provision for accommodation for Megalo. They have made it worse for Megalo. They have misled Megalo about when they might be able to occupy a new facility in the Kingston foreshore precinct. The minister has had a quite schizophrenic approach.
She was saying during the estimates hearings last year that it would be well over a year before anything could happen. But when we got to October and November last year and debating whether there should be an inquiry, she said: “No, no, you cannot do that. It will put everything on hold and we promised Megalo that they would be in by August this year.” That was a promise that this minister could never keep. That was revealed during the hearings when the planning officials talked about the building time line. It was clearly 18 months plus, depending on how much time would be involved. There was an unknown amount of time that would be involved in rehabilitation of tanks on the site.
There are many persuasive arguments why the government’s decision was not in the best interests of Megalo and not in the best interests of the arts precinct. I have received, and I am sure other members have received, many letters from members of the public about why the government should support the recommendations of the inquiry into the future use of the Fitters Workshop.
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