Mr WOOD - 2003-08-19
Thank you, Madam Speaker, we should not forget it is our birthday, too!
Chief Minister, last Monday you announced that the government was to build a convention centre. Last Tuesday, you answered a number of questions in parliament, which allowed, in instalments, this House to hear from the government what it intended to do. I support the convention centre, too, Chief Minister.
There has been no opportunity to debate the proposal or hear a full and detailed description of the project outside of Question Time or media releases. Bearing in mind the proposal is said to be worth $600m, of which $100m will be government funds, will the Chief Minister be making a ministerial statement on the convention centre during these sittings of parliament so that parliament can be involved too?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, there has been a fair amount of discussion in this parliament. We have been offering briefings widely, not only to members in the House. I do not know whether the member for Nelson has had a briefing. We will have a briefing as soon as possible.
At this stage, there is a lot of work being done to develop the project. That work has been going on over the last few months. I imagine, as the expressions of interest process is developed and goes out to the nation, that we will have a more substantial discussion in this House, probably October or November this year.
However, member for Nelson, I am very happy to give you a briefing. I was delighted that the Opposition Leader finally took up the invitation and had a briefing. Well done, Leader of the Opposition. We have been talking widely to our community, briefing them, and you will see more of that happening over the next few weeks. This parliament is an appropriate place, and before the end of the year we will have that debate.
Chief Minister, last Monday you announced that the government was to build a convention centre. Last Tuesday, you answered a number of questions in parliament, which allowed, in instalments, this House to hear from the government what it intended to do. I support the convention centre, too, Chief Minister.
There has been no opportunity to debate the proposal or hear a full and detailed description of the project outside of Question Time or media releases. Bearing in mind the proposal is said to be worth $600m, of which $100m will be government funds, will the Chief Minister be making a ministerial statement on the convention centre during these sittings of parliament so that parliament can be involved too?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, there has been a fair amount of discussion in this parliament. We have been offering briefings widely, not only to members in the House. I do not know whether the member for Nelson has had a briefing. We will have a briefing as soon as possible.
At this stage, there is a lot of work being done to develop the project. That work has been going on over the last few months. I imagine, as the expressions of interest process is developed and goes out to the nation, that we will have a more substantial discussion in this House, probably October or November this year.
However, member for Nelson, I am very happy to give you a briefing. I was delighted that the Opposition Leader finally took up the invitation and had a briefing. Well done, Leader of the Opposition. We have been talking widely to our community, briefing them, and you will see more of that happening over the next few weeks. This parliament is an appropriate place, and before the end of the year we will have that debate.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016