Page 4286 - Week 11 - Thursday, 25 October 2018
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MR WALL: Minister, what actions have you taken as the minister responsible for sport to ensure that the Mpowerdome remains as an indoor sporting facility for Tuggeranong as opposed to being used for other purposes such as development?
MS BERRY: The Mpowerdome is a privately owned and operated organisation, so it is the responsibility of that organisation. As far as I am aware, it is for sale.
MR PARTON: Minister, have you and your government ruled out the purchase of the Mpowerdome as a possibility in order to ensure that the Mpowerdome remains an asset to the community as an indoor sporting facility?
MS BERRY: It is a private organisation operated and owned by a private operator and owner. I understand that it is for sale, but the government is not in the business of purchasing private businesses.
Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders—agreement
MR PETTERSSON: My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs. Minister, can you update the Assembly on the development of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-28?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Mr Pettersson for the question. The ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2015-18 is due to expire soon. The agreement is a high-level commitment by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, the ACT government and the ACT public service to work together to achieve equitable outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT.
The new agreement will continue to set out the ongoing commitment of the ACT government, the elected body and the community to recognise and respond to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the ACT. It is proposed that the new agreement will be for a 10-year period, which will allow for forward planning and a more coordinated approach. An extended time period for the new agreement will enable it to run in parallel with the COAG closing the gap strategy, which is also currently in the process of being refreshed.
The new agreement will build on the work carried out under the existing agreement and will continue to be centred on strong families. It is envisaged that the new agreement will focus on outcomes that can be achieved within the 2019-28 period; include clearly identified outcomes for each government directorate; and include shorter term milestones to support the delivery of objectives and maintain engagement with the community.
I thank members of the elected body and the staff of the office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs for their hard work and commitment throughout this process. I also thank all the members of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community who have engaged in processes to inform the development of the new agreement.
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