Berry Calls For Papers On Summernats Debacle

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson on Tourism

Media Statement - 10 January 2001

Labor Shadow Tourism Minister Wayne Berry has called for the release of all documents concerning the ACT Government's withdrawal of compulsory third party insurance from Summernats and the $5 parking slug at EPIC.

Mr Berry's move follows the 11th hour introduction of a $5 parking fee and publication of a brief explanatory statement on the government decision to withdraw motor vehicle third party insurance from Summernats participants.

"This statement bears all the hallmarks of the ACT Government approach to decision making which has given us events like the hospital implosion, the Futsal slab, the Hall Kinlyside land swap, the Bruce Stadium and the Floriade fee imbroglio. No background to the decision until it is dragged out, and then the real story emerges.

"The Summernats is an unsubsidised major event which returns around $10 million to the ACT economy each year it is held. But there is no sign that Brendan Smyth even thought about the likely impact of this decision on this important tourism event this year and in future years.

"What a great start for the Territory's new Tourism Minister. It looks as though he has picked up the worst habits of his predecessor - knee jerk decision making.

"Summernats is not everyone's cup of tea, but neither is Floriade, but one thing is common, the ACT Government seems committed to making it hard for both.

"About one fifth of the Summernats participants were from the ACT and carried the withdrawn NRMA insurance, and by all accounts the remaining four fifths continued to be covered by their state insurers. What did the government consider which made it decide that this discriminatory approach was the way to go?

"Others dispute the NRMA claims that there have been an inordinate number of claims because of Summernats. Did the government see any evidence to back up the disputed claims?

"What rule of sensible decision making justifies the withdrawal of third party insurance cover taken out with motor vehicle registration up to 11 months previously, and then announced one day before the withdrawal of cover?

"And why was a $5 parking slug imposed at the last minute - a repeat of the Floriade fee - introduced on an unsuspecting public without any notice?

"On the evidence so far the signs are there to warrant a close inspection of the background to Minister Smyth's decision," Mr Berry concluded.