Senator Rod Kemp can’t help putting his foot in his mouth.
Instead of allowing negotiations to take place between the ACT Government and the Australian Institute of Sport over the proposed Gungahlin Drive Extension in good faith, Senator Kemp again used Senate Question Time to make misleading comments.
Labor has consistently urged the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) to negotiate in good faith, but Senator Kemp, as Sports Minister, seems determined to influence the ASC to take a political position against the proposed road.
I have deliberately refrained from making public comment over the past five weeks in order to allow the AIS and the ACT Government to negotiate without inappropriate political interference.
The issue of the proposed Gungahlin Drive Extension is complex, as the transport needs of 100,000 Gungahlin residents in the ACT and the claimed impact on the AIS must both be addressed.
The ACT Government released their plans for the Gungahlin Drive Extension last week, and the proposed road will be 200 metres from the AIS and constructed 5-7 metres below the surface. Work will not commence until after athletes’ preparations for the 2004 Olympics are completed.
Senator Kemp’s actions today show he is determined to force the ASC to adopt the Liberal Party’s position of opposing the Gungahlin Drive Extension.
Media contact: Simon Tatz on 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295
