Page 511 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 13 February 2013
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or to the Docklands stadium, where there is entertainment along the way, where the programs and various supporters clubs for the teams gather and create a carnival atmosphere as you make your way towards the ground. That is what we are aiming for at Manuka.
I think the amendments that are put forward are fair, reasonable and reflect the important outcomes we are hoping to achieve. I urge members to support them.
MR WALL (Brindabella) (4.30): I, like 11,574 others, attended the one-day international match last week at Manuka and, I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Manuka is the perfect venue for such matches, set in the leafy surrounds of Canberra’s inner south within a stone’s throw of all the allures of Manuka. Firstly, it is important that I, too, acknowledge the contribution made by Cricket ACT’s Mark Vergano, in particular, to secure the event in Canberra. I heard some say recently that it was a thrill to watch the coverage on television and hear commentators talk about our lovely city in such a glowing fashion.
It was a beautiful day in Canberra on 6 February, and with tickets in hand for the one-day international match I set out for an enjoyable afternoon at the cricket. I am quite sure that my experience of the event will be much different to the experiences had by the minister. In fact, I am sure that my experience was more likely shared by the majority of goers to the cricket on that day. I did not have any special parking permits, I did not have any special seating or corporate box or favourable treatment at all. It is important to point out today that my experience would have been very much the same as most of the attendees at the cricket that day.
Had I been coming to the cricket that day from my home in Macarthur, being familiar with Manuka’s parking limitations, I would have sought to catch the bus. However, this journey would have taken me well over two hours using the normal bus schedule. Given this tedious journey, it is reasonable to assume that most Canberrans living in Tuggeranong or Gungahlin, or any of our forgotten outer suburbs of Canberra, would be reliant on using their cars to get to Manuka.
Ms Burch: The ones that even your party have forgotten now. Walked away, left them high and dry.
Mr Seselja: I reckon Andrew will get more votes in Brindy next time than you.
MR WALL: I look forward to it.
I was, in fact, in my office at the Assembly that morning so, still armed with the knowledge that Manuka has some limitations in its parking, I thought I would catch one of the buses that have been so widely mentioned during this debate. The only problem was that they stopped operating from Civic at 2 pm, 20 minutes before the match began. I know the cricket started at 2.20. The simple consideration of having a bus service operating through the afternoon may have helped to alleviate the traffic and parking burden just a little. This would have allowed options for people intending to attend the match after work or into the evening to use the service. Again, I am sure I am not alone in this thinking.
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