❓ WA Heritage Minister expresses frustration with the Federal Government's lack of response to the National Trust's bid to purchase the former ABC site on Adelaide Terrace, accusing them of ignoring WA's heritage and prioritizing profits over cultural significance.
AnsweredQoN 435Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ABC - ADELAIDE TERRACE SITE
On 16 May The West Australian reported that the National Trust was seeking to purchase the former site of the ABC in Adelaide Terrace in order, among other things, to return the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra to its former headquarters. Can the minister please advise the house of the progress of this bid? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS
On 16 May The West Australian reported that the National Trust was seeking to purchase the former site of the ABC in Adelaide Terrace in order, among other things, to return the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra to its former headquarters. Can the minister please advise the house of the progress of this bid? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Perth for asking a question about what is a very important issue. I also acknowledge his long-term support of the National Trust, of the ABC and of heritage, particularly within the city of Perth. The member for Perth is quite correct; the National Trust of Western Australia has been seeking to acquire these premises since towards the end of last year. It has been trying to establish a combined commercial and arts precinct that will provide for a sustainable heritage future for the people of this state. Discussions commenced late last year between the National Trust of Western Australia and the ABC board. Towards the end of last year I wrote to the ABC board in support of the trust’s proposal. In fact, I understand that the trust made a formal offer to the ABC board on 4 May this year. That same month I wrote to the ABC board in support of that proposal. Since that time, a further proposal has been developed that will see the ABC nominally divest itself of the site to the National Trust, which will then develop the entire site as a centre for arts and commercial and creative industries. I understand this proposal was supported by the ABC board and was initially received sympathetically by the federal Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Coonan. However, the silence on the issue has been deafening! I wrote to Senator Coonan last month in support of that revised proposal. In all this time, we have not received any response from Canberra at all. All that has occurred is a series of whispers and nudges. We are now given to understand by this silence from Canberra that the site will be let for commercial tender. Although this may look clever and may well maximise profits from the site, it is utterly cynical. The Howard government has again dropped the ball. It has denied Western Australia its fair share of the bounty that we produce for the nation. We must ask: what is the reasoning for the abandonment of institutions and precincts that carry a great deal of historical meaning for our state? The unofficial word from Canberra is that there are no votes in heritage; therefore, Canberra is not interested. I think somehow though, if it were a Tasmanian hospital, a Queensland local government or Indigenous affairs issues in the Northern Territory, a series of expert federal ministers would be here telling us how it should be done. However, Canberra is not interested in Western Australia. This is about Western Australian heritage, and Canberra does not care because, as we have heard informally, there are no votes in heritage. It becomes clearer to me every day that the Howard government cares little about Western Australia. It sees this state as just a source of pork to be barrelled into eastern states marginal seats. The inaction of the federal government on this matter is inexcusable. The federal government’s total lack of empathy for the issues and outcomes that our state seeks in this situation is very poor indeed and exemplifies the contempt with which the Howard government treats Western Australia. This state has been ignored again on this issue. We have not had our fair share. I look forward to the election of a Rudd Labor government.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I thank the member for Perth for asking a question about what is a very important issue. I also acknowledge his long-term support of the National Trust, of the ABC and of heritage, particularly within the city of Perth. The member for Perth is quite correct; the National Trust of Western Australia has been seeking to acquire these premises since towards the end of last year. It has been trying to establish a combined commercial and arts precinct that will provide for a sustainable heritage future for the people of this state. Discussions commenced late last year between the National Trust of Western Australia and the ABC board. Towards the end of last year I wrote to the ABC board in support of the trust’s proposal. In fact, I understand that the trust made a formal offer to the ABC board on 4 May this year. That same month I wrote to the ABC board in support of that proposal. Since that time, a further proposal has been developed that will see the ABC nominally divest itself of the site to the National Trust, which will then develop the entire site as a centre for arts and commercial and creative industries. I understand this proposal was supported by the ABC board and was initially received sympathetically by the federal Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Coonan. However, the silence on the issue has been deafening! I wrote to Senator Coonan last month in support of that revised proposal. In all this time, we have not received any response from Canberra at all. All that has occurred is a series of whispers and nudges. We are now given to understand by this silence from Canberra that the site will be let for commercial tender. Although this may look clever and may well maximise profits from the site, it is utterly cynical. The Howard government has again dropped the ball. It has denied Western Australia its fair share of the bounty that we produce for the nation. We must ask: what is the reasoning for the abandonment of institutions and precincts that carry a great deal of historical meaning for our state? The unofficial word from Canberra is that there are no votes in heritage; therefore, Canberra is not interested. I think somehow though, if it were a Tasmanian hospital, a Queensland local government or Indigenous affairs issues in the Northern Territory, a series of expert federal ministers would be here telling us how it should be done. However, Canberra is not interested in Western Australia. This is about Western Australian heritage, and Canberra does not care because, as we have heard informally, there are no votes in heritage. It becomes clearer to me every day that the Howard government cares little about Western Australia. It sees this state as just a source of pork to be barrelled into eastern states marginal seats. The inaction of the federal government on this matter is inexcusable. The federal government’s total lack of empathy for the issues and outcomes that our state seeks in this situation is very poor indeed and exemplifies the contempt with which the Howard government treats Western Australia. This state has been ignored again on this issue. We have not had our fair share. I look forward to the election of a Rudd Labor government.
I thank the member for Perth for asking a question about what is a very important issue. I also acknowledge his long-term support of the National Trust, of the ABC and of heritage, particularly within the city of Perth. The member for Perth is quite correct; the National Trust of Western Australia has been seeking to acquire these premises since towards the end of last year. It has been trying to establish a combined commercial and arts precinct that will provide for a sustainable heritage future for the people of this state. Discussions commenced late last year between the National Trust of Western Australia and the ABC board. Towards the end of last year I wrote to the ABC board in support of the trust’s proposal. In fact, I understand that the trust made a formal offer to the ABC board on 4 May this year. That same month I wrote to the ABC board in support of that proposal. Since that time, a further proposal has been developed that will see the ABC nominally divest itself of the site to the National Trust, which will then develop the entire site as a centre for arts and commercial and creative industries. I understand this proposal was supported by the ABC board and was initially received sympathetically by the federal Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Coonan. However, the silence on the issue has been deafening! I wrote to Senator Coonan last month in support of that revised proposal. In all this time, we have not received any response from Canberra at all. All that has occurred is a series of whispers and nudges. We are now given to understand by this silence from Canberra that the site will be let for commercial tender. Although this may look clever and may well maximise profits from the site, it is utterly cynical. The Howard government has again dropped the ball. It has denied Western Australia its fair share of the bounty that we produce for the nation. We must ask: what is the reasoning for the abandonment of institutions and precincts that carry a great deal of historical meaning for our state? The unofficial word from Canberra is that there are no votes in heritage; therefore, Canberra is not interested. I think somehow though, if it were a Tasmanian hospital, a Queensland local government or Indigenous affairs issues in the Northern Territory, a series of expert federal ministers would be here telling us how it should be done. However, Canberra is not interested in Western Australia. This is about Western Australian heritage, and Canberra does not care because, as we have heard informally, there are no votes in heritage. It becomes clearer to me every day that the Howard government cares little about Western Australia. It sees this state as just a source of pork to be barrelled into eastern states marginal seats. The inaction of the federal government on this matter is inexcusable. The federal government’s total lack of empathy for the issues and outcomes that our state seeks in this situation is very poor indeed and exemplifies the contempt with which the Howard government treats Western Australia. This state has been ignored again on this issue. We have not had our fair share. I look forward to the election of a Rudd Labor government.
I understand this proposal was supported by the ABC board and was initially received sympathetically by the federal Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Coonan. However, the silence on the issue has been deafening! I wrote to Senator Coonan last month in support of that revised proposal. In all this time, we have not received any response from Canberra at all. All that has occurred is a series of whispers and nudges. We are now given to understand by this silence from Canberra that the site will be let for commercial tender. Although this may look clever and may well maximise profits from the site, it is utterly cynical. The Howard government has again dropped the ball. It has denied Western Australia its fair share of the bounty that we produce for the nation. We must ask: what is the reasoning for the abandonment of institutions and precincts that carry a great deal of historical meaning for our state? The unofficial word from Canberra is that there are no votes in heritage; therefore, Canberra is not interested. I think somehow though, if it were a Tasmanian hospital, a Queensland local government or Indigenous affairs issues in the Northern Territory, a series of expert federal ministers would be here telling us how it should be done. However, Canberra is not interested in Western Australia. This is about Western Australian heritage, and Canberra does not care because, as we have heard informally, there are no votes in heritage. It becomes clearer to me every day that the Howard government cares little about Western Australia. It sees this state as just a source of pork to be barrelled into eastern states marginal seats. The inaction of the federal government on this matter is inexcusable. The federal government’s total lack of empathy for the issues and outcomes that our state seeks in this situation is very poor indeed and exemplifies the contempt with which the Howard government treats Western Australia. This state has been ignored again on this issue. We have not had our fair share. I look forward to the election of a Rudd Labor government.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I thank the member for Perth for asking a question about what is a very important issue. I also acknowledge his long-term support of the National Trust, of the ABC and of heritage, particularly within the city of Perth. The member for Perth is quite correct; the National Trust of Western Australia has been seeking to acquire these premises since towards the end of last year. It has been trying to establish a combined commercial and arts precinct that will provide for a sustainable heritage future for the people of this state. Discussions commenced late last year between the National Trust of Western Australia and the ABC board. Towards the end of last year I wrote to the ABC board in support of the trust’s proposal. In fact, I understand that the trust made a formal offer to the ABC board on 4 May this year. That same month I wrote to the ABC board in support of that proposal. Since that time, a further proposal has been developed that will see the ABC nominally divest itself of the site to the National Trust, which will then develop the entire site as a centre for arts and commercial and creative industries. I understand this proposal was supported by the ABC board and was initially received sympathetically by the federal Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Coonan. However, the silence on the issue has been deafening! I wrote to Senator Coonan last month in support of that revised proposal. In all this time, we have not received any response from Canberra at all. All that has occurred is a series of whispers and nudges. We are now given to understand by this silence from Canberra that the site will be let for commercial tender. Although this may look clever and may well maximise profits from the site, it is utterly cynical. The Howard government has again dropped the ball. It has denied Western Australia its fair share of the bounty that we produce for the nation. We must ask: what is the reasoning for the abandonment of institutions and precincts that carry a great deal of historical meaning for our state? The unofficial word from Canberra is that there are no votes in heritage; therefore, Canberra is not interested. I think somehow though, if it were a Tasmanian hospital, a Queensland local government or Indigenous affairs issues in the Northern Territory, a series of expert federal ministers would be here telling us how it should be done. However, Canberra is not interested in Western Australia. This is about Western Australian heritage, and Canberra does not care because, as we have heard informally, there are no votes in heritage. It becomes clearer to me every day that the Howard government cares little about Western Australia. It sees this state as just a source of pork to be barrelled into eastern states marginal seats. The inaction of the federal government on this matter is inexcusable. The federal government’s total lack of empathy for the issues and outcomes that our state seeks in this situation is very poor indeed and exemplifies the contempt with which the Howard government treats Western Australia. This state has been ignored again on this issue. We have not had our fair share. I look forward to the election of a Rudd Labor government.
I thank the member for Perth for asking a question about what is a very important issue. I also acknowledge his long-term support of the National Trust, of the ABC and of heritage, particularly within the city of Perth. The member for Perth is quite correct; the National Trust of Western Australia has been seeking to acquire these premises since towards the end of last year. It has been trying to establish a combined commercial and arts precinct that will provide for a sustainable heritage future for the people of this state. Discussions commenced late last year between the National Trust of Western Australia and the ABC board. Towards the end of last year I wrote to the ABC board in support of the trust’s proposal. In fact, I understand that the trust made a formal offer to the ABC board on 4 May this year. That same month I wrote to the ABC board in support of that proposal. Since that time, a further proposal has been developed that will see the ABC nominally divest itself of the site to the National Trust, which will then develop the entire site as a centre for arts and commercial and creative industries. I understand this proposal was supported by the ABC board and was initially received sympathetically by the federal Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Coonan. However, the silence on the issue has been deafening! I wrote to Senator Coonan last month in support of that revised proposal. In all this time, we have not received any response from Canberra at all. All that has occurred is a series of whispers and nudges. We are now given to understand by this silence from Canberra that the site will be let for commercial tender. Although this may look clever and may well maximise profits from the site, it is utterly cynical. The Howard government has again dropped the ball. It has denied Western Australia its fair share of the bounty that we produce for the nation. We must ask: what is the reasoning for the abandonment of institutions and precincts that carry a great deal of historical meaning for our state? The unofficial word from Canberra is that there are no votes in heritage; therefore, Canberra is not interested. I think somehow though, if it were a Tasmanian hospital, a Queensland local government or Indigenous affairs issues in the Northern Territory, a series of expert federal ministers would be here telling us how it should be done. However, Canberra is not interested in Western Australia. This is about Western Australian heritage, and Canberra does not care because, as we have heard informally, there are no votes in heritage. It becomes clearer to me every day that the Howard government cares little about Western Australia. It sees this state as just a source of pork to be barrelled into eastern states marginal seats. The inaction of the federal government on this matter is inexcusable. The federal government’s total lack of empathy for the issues and outcomes that our state seeks in this situation is very poor indeed and exemplifies the contempt with which the Howard government treats Western Australia. This state has been ignored again on this issue. We have not had our fair share. I look forward to the election of a Rudd Labor government.
I understand this proposal was supported by the ABC board and was initially received sympathetically by the federal Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Coonan. However, the silence on the issue has been deafening! I wrote to Senator Coonan last month in support of that revised proposal. In all this time, we have not received any response from Canberra at all. All that has occurred is a series of whispers and nudges. We are now given to understand by this silence from Canberra that the site will be let for commercial tender. Although this may look clever and may well maximise profits from the site, it is utterly cynical. The Howard government has again dropped the ball. It has denied Western Australia its fair share of the bounty that we produce for the nation. We must ask: what is the reasoning for the abandonment of institutions and precincts that carry a great deal of historical meaning for our state? The unofficial word from Canberra is that there are no votes in heritage; therefore, Canberra is not interested. I think somehow though, if it were a Tasmanian hospital, a Queensland local government or Indigenous affairs issues in the Northern Territory, a series of expert federal ministers would be here telling us how it should be done. However, Canberra is not interested in Western Australia. This is about Western Australian heritage, and Canberra does not care because, as we have heard informally, there are no votes in heritage. It becomes clearer to me every day that the Howard government cares little about Western Australia. It sees this state as just a source of pork to be barrelled into eastern states marginal seats. The inaction of the federal government on this matter is inexcusable. The federal government’s total lack of empathy for the issues and outcomes that our state seeks in this situation is very poor indeed and exemplifies the contempt with which the Howard government treats Western Australia. This state has been ignored again on this issue. We have not had our fair share. I look forward to the election of a Rudd Labor government.
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