(Debate, 18 November 2015, Legislative Assembly, NSW Parliament)

I cannot support the Statue Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (No. 2) 2015. The bill includes changes to the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Act 1978 to facilitate the development of land zoned for public recreation. Land held under the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust is public land that was part of Governor Macquarie's 1811 Sydney Common bequest, which set aside 405 hectares of land for the outdoor recreation needs of present and future Sydney generations. Only one-third of this bequest remains open public land and it is now more vital than ever that we protect what is left.

The bill will enable a five- to six-storey building to be constructed on public recreation land—the Australian Rugby Development Centre, with one storey dedicated to the University of Technology Sydney. Constructing a building on public land should not be part of statute law, which traditionally is meant to include only small changes of little consequence. My constituents will of course be outraged about this. Early last week I noted the change and asked for a briefing, which I received only this morning. Therefore, my contribution to this debate will be limited. I foreshadow that I will move an amendment to the bill to omit the sections relating to the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Act 1978.