Page 3549 - Week 11 - Thursday, 23 October 2014
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That this bill be agreed to in principle.
Today I introduce the Exhibition Park Corporation Repeal Bill 2014. This bill will repeal the Exhibition Park Corporation Act 1976. That act established the Exhibition Park Corporation as a statutory authority that administers Exhibition Park in Canberra.
The repeal will allow for the integration of the functions, staff, assets and liabilities of the corporation into the Territory Venues and Events area of the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate.
Some may recall that the government brought forward a similar bill in 2009 for the same purpose. I foreshadowed then that I would revisit this matter, and, Madam Deputy Speaker, here we are. Although unsuccessful five years ago, clearly the last five years have demonstrated the ongoing resource pressures that have been faced by the corporation.
The government maintains, as I have all along, that managing EPIC alongside other territory venues is the best way forward. The governance and business obligations on the corporation are onerous considering its very small size. Integration creates opportunities to share expertise across territory venues, particularly in relation to event planning, sales and marketing, security, insurance and other management issues. Efficiencies may be achieved through streamlining supplies and services, contracts and shared use of equipment and resources.
The repeal will provide a governance structure that more closely aligns with community expectations of the management of government facilities. EPIC is the venue for many not-for-profit events, causing additional challenges for the corporation to provide a commercial focus at EPIC. Each year, EPIC provides significant community support in kind, which is at odds with the obligation to make a commercial return as is expected of a corporation. I am pleased to advise this morning that the government will continue to provide such in-kind support following the repeal. This support amounted to almost $700,000 in 2013-14.
The range of iconic events associated with Exhibition Park will not be affected by the change. It will be business as usual for Summernats, the Royal Canberra Show, the National Folk Festival, the Capital Region Farmers Market, Lifeline’s book fairs, the craft and quilt show, and of course the many dog shows and other events and activities held at Exhibition Park that add colour and life to our city.
The development of the low-cost tourist accommodation project at Exhibition Park, which will bring much-needed accommodation for school groups and the general public, will also not be affected by the change and will be operational in 2015. Let me also be very clear that the staff of Exhibition Park are already public servants and they will remain so after the change.
I am pleased to advise that the repeal is expected to deliver savings to the budget as a result of the board being abolished. Based on current board costs, these savings are in the order of $140,000 over four years. I can also advise the Assembly that notwithstanding that their roles will come to an end, the board members are supportive of this change.
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