SYDNEY SHOWGROUND SITE DEVELOPMENT
The Hon. J. P. HANNAFORD (Leader of the Opposition) [2.36]: I move:
That under Standing Order 18, there be laid upon the Table of this House and made public without restricted access by 5.00 pm Thursday 26 October 1995, all documents relevant to the Government's negotiations with Twentieth Century Fox relating to the conversion of the Sydney Showground into a film complex, including but not limited to:
(a) all documents, correspondence, notes, advices and submissions including briefing papers in relation to the in-principle agreement with Twentieth Century Fox;
(b) all documents relating to the Sydney Showground site at Moore Park and the transfer of planning powers from South Sydney Council to the New South Wales State Government; and
(c) all documents relating to the Twentieth Century Fox involvement on the Sydney Showground site beyond the use of the site for a film studio.
The motion seeks an order from the House that there be laid before the House and made public without restricted access by 5 p.m. on Thursday, 26 October 1995, all documents relevant to the Government's negotiations with Twentieth Century Fox relating to the conversion of the Sydney showground into a film complex. Certain other documents are further identified. The motion does not relate to the question of whether the showground be used as a site for a film studio. As far back as April 1990, the Minister for the Arts - the current Leader of the Opposition - wrote to the Premier, Nick Greiner, proposing that the showground be used as a site for a film studio. In February 1994, KPMG Peat Marwick completed a review of a strategy for the New South Wales film and television production industry. The strategy highlighted Sydney's need for a major studio facility if it were to maintain its position as an international film centre.
[Debate interrupted.]